Fall 2012 Photo Shoot...

Good Morning,

I have woefully neglected this blog for far too long and haven't been keeping a good online journal of what's been happening in our lives...which is why I started this blog in the first place.

A few weeks ago I did a quick photo shoot with the boys at one of our local parks and the results are below.  I apologize in advance to my Facebook readers because you've probably seen these pics more than you care to...but...what's a Mom blogger to do?  You gotta post pics of your kids, right?  (grin).  It's been a while since I've posted pics of them here on the blog.  They are now 11 (almost 12) and 6.  Amazingly, when I started blogging they were 7 and 1.

Have a great Friday!

Curiosity...

Life must be lived and curiosity kept alive.

 One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.

-Eleanor Roosevelt 

 

 

 

 

 

My youngest working on his leaf collection.  He is full of curiosity and he loves to work on a project.  This leaf collection is his latest idea after learning about trees this week in his first grade classroom.  He reminds me of myself when I was his age with his love of reading, collections and learning.

 

Curiosity.

A Perfect Summer Day To A Little Boy...

...and they grow up...

Kobe and I in 2008...close to a year after I started this blog...

Kobe in 2012...

When I had my first baby, Kobe, almost 12 years ago I never really thought about him getting older.  Not really.  When I was pregnant I thought about decorating the nursery, buying cute baby clothes and picking out strollers and cribs.  I never even thought much beyond all the cuteness and what I was feeling as I was carrying this baby.  As you can imagine,  I wasn't well prepared for what having a real...live...baby was like...even though I had read every dang book on the subject for the WHOLE nine months.  Geesh!  Kobe and I had a rough start...mainly since I had Post-Partum depression... but we came through it all okay.  What is amazing to me is that all those baby days really do seem like they were just last year...certainly not 11 years ago. 

I've learned that having kids is all about developmental stages and gracefully adjusting.  I've tried to enjoy every single of one them...even on those pesky 1/2 years. Anyone else experience the mood swings/temper tantrums, etc. when their kids are at the 1/2 year point between birthdays?  Okay...well...maybe it's just us!

With Kobe...I've gotten to experience the all the development stages for the first time.  With my second son, Kyler, we can kind of sit back and enjoy his experiences...because...we've Been There AND Done That.  Except... for the broken leg a few days before he was to start kindergarten.  Nope...hadn't experienced that one before.  And, you know, they are two completely different kids (of course) but these guys are opposites.  Kobe is reserved (very reserved) and Kyler will talk to anyone.  The differences are so much fun for me.

When I started this blog, Kobe was 7 years old and in the first grade.  Now, Middle School is starting soon....Puberty is close...Lots of questions coming at me.  Questions about things I didn't think about when I was carrying this boy for those 9 months.  Questions like..."How does that baby get in there anyway?"

I'm Gracefully Adjusting.

Yes.

Gracefully Adjusting...


--jackie

What's In Your Nose?

I mean...what kind of title is that?  Really.  This is a post about noses and things that shouldn't be in them.  I have heard stories of kids putting objects in their noses ...like crayons, buttons and peas.  I never thought my own child would actually do anything like that.  I mean...he KNOWS better than that, right?  

WRONG...evidently not.

Since Kyler broke his leg in August I have either received a note or a phone call from the school nurse at least every other week regarding something Kyler has done.  Early on it was wheelchair woes, problems in the bathroom also related to transferring in and out of the wheelchair, then it was concerns about whether he could do the things he wanted to do while wearing his walking cast and then his boot.  When we were past all the broken leg issues I started receiving notes and calls about scraped knees and arms and ice packs being applied, etc.  Yes, we now realize our youngest is a tad bit clumsy.  

The phone rang about 3:00 one day this week and the nurse says, "Hi Jackie, this is the school nurse and I want to tell you about the situation we have here with Kyler".  This is new...it isn't usually a "situation".  She then proceeded to tell me that he came to her office saying that he had put an eraser up his nose and he was very upset.  She wasn't able to see anything and thought that maybe he had put the eraser up his nose but that it had probably fallen out.  So, I tell her that I'll be right over to take a look.  I'm thinking on the drive over...an eraser up his nose?  I know he likes going to the nurse...but this one takes the cake.  Yes, I said he likes  going to the nurse.  In the last few weeks he has let it slip that he and his friend orchestrated a incident whereby the friend tripped Kyler so he would get hurt...all so that he would have to go to the nurse.  Yes, I know we may have bigger issues here. (smile)

I get to the nurses office and Kyler is smiling and telling a story to the nurse.  We take a look in his nose with a small pen flashlight and I don't see anything and neither does the nurse.  I chalk it up to another ploy to go see the nurse yet again.

But, on the drive home and after we get there, he is VERY quiet.  This is a huge red flag because this kid is NEVER quiet.  We go about the late afternoon as usual and he is still acting funny and is still claiming that he did, indeed, put an eraser up his nose and that it was still there.  So, out comes the extra extra large flashlight that we have and I get a good look up in his nose and sure enough...said pencil eraser lodged right there in his nose.  

Well, GREAT...what now? 

Then the tears started and he was really scared.  I kind of was too.  It was really up in there.  When I finally got him calmed down and he realized that if he didn't let me try to get it out that he would have to go to the ER.  The thought of going to the ER again was enough for him to sit still and let me at it.  Thankfully, we had a few pairs long tweezers...why we have those I have no idea...but I was sure glad we had them.  It came right out and we were all thankful that no visit to the ER was needed.  Will he do it again?  Some say be prepared...he says he will NEVER put anything in his nose again.  Time will tell. 

Here's to a LESS exciting weekend.  Hope yours isn't exciting either.

Until Next Time,

Jackie

Small Everyday Joys...

"Creativity is a natural extension of our enthusiasm"

~Earl Nightingale

One of the best parts of being a Mom is watching who my children are becoming.  This little guy is fun to watch.  His creativity and personality are a true joy to me.  Writing and drawing are one of his favorite things to do and he takes great care in deciding what he wants to say on paper whether it's a note or a drawing.

I'm glad it's Friday...for a short work week it's been kind of a long one.  We have a full weekend planned with visits from my cousin Denise and her family and other activities as well.  

On the menu tonight...

Meatball Sandwiches and Seasoned Potato Wedges

I hope your Friday is a great day.  See you on Sunday for a scripture I've been working on this week.

Jackie

The next step...a new cast for Kyler...

Someone is a little nervous before getting the old cast off but he is smiling anyway...

Ahh...look at that cute little orange cast...

Some people think the best part of having a broken leg is getting to bring the old cast home...

Today was a milestone in Kyler's broken leg recovery.  The huge long leg cast was removed and a snazzy bright orange walking cast was put on today.  He will walk again as early as next week and our little kindergartener will be running around the playground with his new friends in a couple of months. 

His recovery has gone so well and we are still amazed at how he has adjusted to life in a wheelchair.  From the very first day, he just accepted it and continued on with his life the best he could.  I'm feeling much better about things than when I wrote this post a few weeks ago. 

We have been fortunate to have a great Doctor and insurance to cover most of the expense.  Broken legs and ER visits are very expensive as you can imagine.  It will be months before we know exactly how expensive it all is.  However...all is well.

He is healing.

He likes school.

He will walk again soon.

It's Good!

Jackie

Seeing Through A Different Lens...The Lens of Having a Child With A Disability...

For the past two weeks I have been the Mom of a child in a wheelchair.  Since Kyler broke his leg he has been in a full leg cast and uses a wheelchair.  He will have the cast for at least six more weeks and then he will have a boot and possibly be in the wheelchair until Christmas.  

Having a child with a disability (albeit a temporary one) is difficult.  

The daily challenges:  transferring a 55 pound 4 foot tall boy, bathing, toileting, as well as keeping this active 5 year old busy while sitting in a wheelchair.  Kyler has done really well.  He can be demanding at times (that's not really new though), but he has adjusted well and hasn't complained much at all.  

What I'm seeing, though, is what it is like to have a child with a disability.  What I mean is, I can somewhat understand now what it would be like to have a child who is disabled all the time.  Please don't misunderstand me, I am in no way saying that what we're experiencing is anything close to what someone else experiences when they have a child with a severe disability...but...I am now better able to understand some the of physical and emotional challenges the Moms of those kids face.  Our situation is temporary and I'm grateful for that. 

Several days after Kyler broke his leg I started to understand that this wasn't going to be easy.  Evidently I'm a little slow. 

I now understand the exhaustion.  Physically lifting Kyler in and out of his wheelchair...into the car...out of the car...onto the toilet...onto the couch...It's tiring. 

Taking a child to kindergarten in a wheelchair is emotional.  The older kids see him and probably understand that his leg is broken when they see the cast.  The younger kids (his classmates) just stare at him and you can see the questions on their faces.  It breaks my heart.  Now, I understand what it would be like to have a child with a disability and dealing with the stares and the questions.  He is handling it well.  I don't handle it well sometimes and just want to cry...for him and for me. Then there are the other days when we're doing really well...he has a good day at school and my emotions are in check. 

This experience has been another reminder to me that I am Blessed.  My kids are healthy.  Kyler will be walking again soon.  His kindergarten experience will be at least somewhat normal in a few weeks.  These challenges that we are facing will fade.   

There are many Moms who can't say this.  This is the life they live everyday and it continues...and continues.    These Moms may have a child in a wheelchair, or a child with Autism or Cancer. 

My eyes are opened!  I see through a different Lens now.  

To the Moms who are dealing with this every day of your life...my heart goes out to you.  I now understand more fully the daily challenges you face.  You inspire me.   I will never again take for granted the health and mobility of my boys. 

I'm Encouraged.

Jackie

Ready To Start Kindergarten...Broken Leg and All...

Kyler had just barely learned to ride his bike without training wheels last Friday when he had a little accident that ended with a visit to the ER and a BIG broken leg.   He is doing great and is such a trooper! 

What is the good news in all of this?  He wasn't excited about school last week...didn't think he would like his teacher...wasn't interested in going.  Now?  He can't wait to go to school to show off his wheel chair!

By the way...his wheel chair is Hot Pink.  The only one we could find in this town of 100,000 people...which is still unbelievable to me.  He kind of likes the pink but his big brother has convinced him that he doesn't want to start kindergarten in a PINK wheelchair!  Oh, the horror!

So, Can You Say CAMO Duct Tape?  We're having a Duct Tape Party tonight!  

Jackie

The Reason For Dandelions...

 

Why spend my time ridding my yard of dandelions when the backyard provides a virtual field of flowers for a sweet 5 year old boy to give to his Mom as he softly says, "Here is a beautiful flower for you, Mom."  "I Love You".

O DANDELION 

O Dandelion, yellow as gold, what do you do all day?
“I just wait here in the tall, green grass, ’till the children come to play.”

O Dandelion, yellow as gold, what do you do all night?
“I wait and wait, while the cool dew falls, and my hair grows long and white.”

And what do you do when your hair grows white, and the children come to play?
“They take me in their dimpled hands, and blow my hair away!”

- by Marlys Swinger 

Barn Charm...and... Photoshoot On The Farm...

Barns have always interested me.  I guess it's my rural upbringing and barns have always been part of that.  Today, I'm linking up with Bluff Area Daily and joining Barn Charm.  The barn I'm bringing you today is on my Aunt's farm in Northeast Missouri.  I have always loved this old barn.  We lived in a house directly across from it when I was in high school.  I have a lot of great memories on their farm and I still feel so at home anytime I'm there.  When we were there a couple of weeks ago I also did a little informal photo shoot of all the boy cousins in the tree line behind their house.  We all have some cute boys so it turned out pretty nice. 

The Black And White That I'm Framing For My Gallery Wall At Home...

Posing On A Fallen Tree...

Boys...Always Have To Have A "Shoot Em Up" Photo...

Thanks For Stopping By...

Jackie

The Little Man Who "Doesn't Want To Grow Up"...

Kyler With His New Bike!

The Birthday Boy With His Cake!

Kyler celebrated his 5th Birthday last week!!  Time already has gone gone by so fast but with him starting Kindergarten in the Fall means time will start to move at lightning speed like it seems to once they start elementary school.  I love celebrating his birthday but it makes me happy and sad all rolled into one big emotion...

He has been so excited to turn 5 and tells everyone we see, "Guess What?, I'm 5 years old now".  However, he will be quick to tell anyone that he Doesn't Want To Grow Up.  If someone asks him what he wants to be when he grows up, he will say, "I'm not going to grow up".  I'm okay with him not growing up right now...I want to cherish this little boy phase.  However, when he's 19 years old and still says this...then...Houston, we may have problem.

On another note...my little guy who Doesn't Want To Grow Up...is exercising his independence wherever he can.  He wants to fix his own cereal in the morning, picks out all his own clothes and dresses himself AND wants to go into public Men's bathrooms wherever we go.  Okay...I have a problem with this last one.  I still drag him into the public Women's bathrooms with me if my husband isn't around.  A couple of weeks ago we went bowling and in a split second Kyler was out of my sight and no where to be found.  A scary feeling! I sent his big brother into the Men's bathroom to find him and of course that's where he was.  When he came out I said, "You can't go somewhere without telling me....ESPECIALLY the men's bathroom".  He said, "I went to the bathroom by myself because that is what a MAN does and I am a MAN".  


Never A Dull Moment I Tell You!

Jackie

It's a Long and Lazy Summer...

Well.... Hello!

We haven't done a darn thing this summer. Really. Pretty much nothing and I kind of like it! We have barely been out of town. We are literally having a long Staycation except Pat and I are working through most of it. We were feeling slightly guilty about not doing much this summer and asked Kobe what he would like to do that he hasn't gotten to do yet. We're thinking, theme parks, water parks or even fishing and he said the only thing he hasn't gotten to do is visit his cousins. Well, that will be arranged.

Kobe has spent most of his summer on his bike and playing with friends. He has had a great summer so far. This is what I see most of the time as he's riding by the house to meet up with the neighborhood gang. Have you seen the movie The Sandlot? If so, you've got a good idea of what's going on here. A lot of boys and a LOT of drama.

He's doing a lot of work perfecting his trick riding skills as well...

Kyler has been working hard this summer and has graduated to the 18 inch bike...with training wheels. He'll be two-wheeling it soon though!

Oh, and Kyler went to soccer camp. As you can see below he was thrilled. I don't think I'll be buying one of those Soccer Mom magnets for my car anytime soon.

We've been pretty crafty too. This is one of our best creations this summer. Really!

We are starting to pick a few of these and we're loving the fresh produce from the nearby farm stands and farmers market...I won't even tell you how many watermelons we've eaten so far this summer.

All in all it's turning out to be a pretty good summer. No plans. No projects. Just a lot of relaxing. Nice.

Hope you're having a good summer too.

Until Next Time,

Jackie

The First Day of Summer Means...

Lots of Time Spent in The Sprinkler...

Lots of Dirty Feet...

And...Lots of Looks Like This When It's Time To Come In...

Until Next Time...

Jackie

On This Day...A Year Later

A year has gone by since I wrote the post titled, On This Day. This post is close to my heart since it's the story of the birth of my second son, Kyler, on April 20, 2006.

As we are about to celebrate his 4th year I'd like to share, with you, the story again. I have always loved reading and hearing birth stories but I especially relate to them since I have two of my own. I hope you enjoy reading one of mine.

On This Day (first posted on April 21, 2009)

Jackie

A Little Charmer and 3rd Grade Love Woes...

Today hasn't been the best day since I've caught a virus and have been dealing with body aches, fever and all the fun that goes along with that. However, there were two bright spots in my day and I wanted to get them down before they escape my foggy brain.

If you know Kobe, you can't tell him I told you this....okay? This is a sensitive subject for a certain 9 year old boy...

When I took Kobe to school today and as we were driving up into the parking lot I noticed a Mom and her kids crossing the street going towards the school. I recognized them as a homeschooling family who lives on our street. This particular family has an 8 year old daughter who has expressed her LOVE for Kobe by leaving nicely decorated love notes for him in our mailbox a few times. Kobe hasn't appreciated the love notes and we've had to have a few conversations about kindness in this situation. Mostly, he's just really embarrassed by it all.

So, I say to Kobe, "look who is crossing the street...they must have decided to start sending their kids to public school". There is a moment of silence from the backseat and then I hear him quietly say ..."Oh, Great"...and a few moments later I hear him whispering..."please let them get into the school before me...please let them get into the school before me...please let them get into the school before me". Well, they did go into the school before Kobe did and I just had to chuckle after he jumped out of the car because I remember those 3rd grade crushes. He was pleased to announce after school that she is in 2nd grade NOT 3rd grade like he had feared...All is Well! So Far!

The rest of the day I spent mostly on the couch. When it was time to pick up Kobe from school I was having a hard time getting Kyler in gear to get his coat and shoes on so we could leave. Every time I thought he was putting his gear on I'd walk in and he was jumping on the couch or some other 3 year old mayhem. So, I say..."You have GOT to get your shoes and coat on so we can Go get your brother!" (imagine voice raising with each word) I turn around to grab my purse and I start to hear kissing sounds. I then turn around to look at Kyler and he says, "Does somebody need some kisses?". Well of course I do! This boy has already figured out how to melt my heart.

Even though it's 5:00pm and I'm not feeling any better than I did this morning...I had a couple of smiles that made my day. See...there is more of that beauty I'm searching for...

Hi There Little Lady...

Well, to be fair, and I'm all about fairness (Kobe are you reading this?) I should give a little blog time to Kyler. Kyler is 3 1/2 and we are having so much fun with him now.

The tantrums are mostly over.

We can understand what he is saying most of the time.

Pee AND Poop lands in the potty most of the time. Yes, pee and poop are words thrown around frequently in our house. Yet another thing they don't tell you when you're expecting your first child...be prepared to become completely comfortable talking about pee and poop to total strangers AND be prepared to talk about it incessantly at home when the training phase is in motion.

He still won't sit through a movie at the theater without causing me much stress and infuriating all the people around us...but I know someday we'll be able to go see movies again.

He has always had the cutest personality and now that he can talk...well...he's winning the girls over...

Recently, we went grocery shopping and we were going down the canned vegetables aisle and we pass an attractive lady who was probably in her 40's. She was pushing her cart past us and Kyler says, "Hi There Widdle Wady". I don't think at first she knew he was talking to her or she wasn't sure what he said...but...when she looked up at him...he said it again. She proceeded to laugh and say how cute he was. So, I'm thinking "yeah, he is pretty cute" and go on with my veggie shopping.

Well, that wasn't the end of it...from then on...every woman we passed in the store he would wave and say, "Hi There Widdle Wady". The girls were coming out of the woodwork to say Hi to the boy when they saw this cute little guy waving at them and giving them a smile.

Finally, we make it to the checkout and he is at the end of the checkout line (by the bags) while I'm paying and I hear him yell, "Hi There Widdle Wady" and I look up and he is yelling across 3 checkout lines to an elderly lady in a wheelchair. As we passed her she wanted to know his name and said "You are just the cutest thing ever." I think he made her day...he made mine!

Joy comes in the form of...

Fall Decorating...

A Huge Zucchini Plant...

Back To School Routines...

Yummy Coffee Beans from Keen Bean Coffee Roasters...
A Brand New Journal - Ready For My Dreams, Thoughts and Prayers...

An 8 year old deciding he really wants to learn to ride his bike without the training wheels and taking off on the first try...

A 3 year old trying hard to keep up...sometimes more wheels don't help you go faster...

More Fall Decorating...

Even More...

And still more...

¹⁶Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);

1 Thessalonians 5:16 (Amplified Bible)