Fun Video Friday: Playing

Some of you have asked me where I've been... Mommy-Momo even asked if I was OK... *laugh* Don't worry, I've just been trying to spend less time on the computer and change my priorities around a bit. God first, then family, and THEN self indulgence. ;)

Here are a couple of videos to satiate you for a little longer. This first one is Parker playing with some coffee cups he collected with Grandma and Grandpa.



I was in the kitchen making dinner one night while Parker was playing and I kept hearing him repeat something over and over. Watch what he was saying in the next video. Too funny! Oh, and sorry about the naked bum. Unavoidable potty learning side-effect.



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I love this biblical example of forgiveness. Even after everything he went through because of what his step-brothers did, Joseph was able to forgive and found the good in the bad.

"Yes, I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt. Don't worry or blame yourselves for what you did. God is the one who sent me ahead of you to save lives." Genesis 45:4-5

And The Survivor Award Goes To:

I recently read that The Obnoxious SAHM recently had her first overnight break from her kids in 6 years! I couldn't believe it. I decided that she deserved a medal. Since I couldn't really give her a medal, I decide to create a blogger award for her instead. In honor of every mother who deserves a break once in awhile, here is her award:

May God bless her with many more breaks from here on out!

Today's Conversation with P-Man: Dinnertime

Mama: "Parker, do you want some cornbread? And beans?

P, playing intensely with his cars: "No!" Then thinks a sec. "Cornbread?"

Mama: "Yeah, you want beans and cornbread?"

P: "No! Cornbread. Just cornbread!" *emits long fart* "AND beans!"

Fun Video Friday: Counting Piano Keys

Parker makes us laugh every time he counts. He's starting to count into the twenties now, but he skips numbers and then goes back to them. He regularly skips 13-15 and 20-21 for some reason. So it usually goes something like this:

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Thankful Thursday: Part Two

I wanted to expand on my Thankful Thursday today since I'm feeling pretty down right now. Parker's diaper bag was stolen from the trunk of our car today. I'm guessing that the trunk button on my keys got pushed down while in my very full purse and it popped open while we were shopping. I wanted to write some thoughts out to help me forgive the person who took it, as well as try to turn it around in a positive light.

I'm thankful that even as our bag was being taken, I was at Children's Orchard (like a Goodwill for kids' stuff) buying a bigger diaper bag since our old one was being stretched to the limits. Ironic, no? I was going to use the old one as my new purse since my purse is also being stretched to the limits (obviously), but I guess it just wasn't meant to be.

I'm thankful that Parker accidentally left his favorite toy truck in his Grandpa's car yesterday - otherwise it probably would have been in his bag and I wouldn't hear the end of it. As it is, he threw a fit about it being missing this morning and fortunately Grandma sent him these nice pictures showing how much fun Hummer was having at their place. They made him smile:

I'm thankful that we were in a rush to get out the door for P's dental appointment this morning or else we might have put more of Parker's favorite cars in the bag. He keeps track of them all so he'd know if they were missing.

I'm bummed that P's guitar bottom jammies from his auntie were in the bag, but thankful that we had the top safe at home at least.

I'm thankful that even though the new toilet seat thingamajigger we bought was in there, that it didn't work well anyway and now I have an excuse to buy a different one that hopefully works better.

I'm thankful that even though there were $80 worth of Target groceries in the trunk, they didn't touch any of those or anything else of value (like his strollers).

I'm bummed our camera was inside the bag, but thankful that I recently transferred a big bunch of pics over to my computer and there were only a few new pics on there that we'll never see again.

And I'm especially thankful that Parker is being very sweet and understanding about the whole thing. He had a little piano toy in there that he got with Gma and Gpa at Wendy's yesterday. Shortly after we got home he started looking for the bag and asking for the piano. I started crying a little as I was explaining to him what happened. He didn't cry or get upset but got a concerned look on his face and said a few times, "Somebody took the piano away. That's not nice!" And he keeps coming up to me to give me hugs and telling me he loves me because he's concerned that "mama's crying." What a sweetie!

OK, I'm feeling much better now and not quite as violated. The very human part of me hopes that person feels a little guilty when he or she sees Parker's cute face on that camera. But I'm also hopeful that the person who took the bag was in real need and finds use for the items inside (or at least gives them to someone who will).

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"Peter came up to the Lord and asked, 'How many times should I forgive someone who does something wrong to me? Is seven times enough?' Jesus answered: 'Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!'" Matthew 18:22

"Whenever you stand up to pray, you must forgive what others have done to you. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your sins." Mark 11:25-26

"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." Deuteronomy 15:11.

Thankful Thursday

I'm so thankful I can see prayers coming true.

I'm so thankful for God's forgiveness. He knows I need it!

I'm so thankful for "date night" each week. Love ya, hunny bunny!

I'm so thankful for wild birds. Their singing brings me joy every day (well, maybe not at 6:00 am, but still).

I'm so thankful for the little bits of beauty I still find in the world each day. Sarah, I know they're hard to find in people sometimes, but they're there, I promise!

I'm so thankful for God's reminder to me not to worry.

I'm so thankful for my beautiful niece turning 1 and Parker and I getting to see her and family soon!

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"I thank you from my heart, and I will never stop singing your praises, my Lord and my God." Psalms 30:12

Wordless Wednesday: Blair Witch Parker

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"If you honor the Lord, his angel will protect you. Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad." Psalms 34:7-8

Show and Tell Tuesday: Making Crayons

I know you're thinking, "What on earth is Parker doing with a tampon?" Well, for awhile now, Jake has been making homemade crayons out of scrap crayons. "Why?" You ask. I'm not completely sure, but he seems to enjoy it. I've heard of making candles out of scrap crayons before, but not crayons out of crayons.

"What does all of this have to do with tampons?" You ask. Well, Jake's always looking for different ways to make the crayons, and on this particular day I set down an almost full box of tampons in front of Jake and jokingly asked him if he knew anyone with a leaky boat. I had bought generic tampons and quickly discovered that brand does matter in this case. I felt bad just throwing them out though. Well, my resourceful husband quickly snatched them up and decided to try using the casings to make a "new" batch of crayons.

Eww, I know. Sorry.

Here are some of the latest creations. Aren't the colors, um... pretty?

This is to show that maybe, just maybe, I'm not the weirdest one in the family after all.

Baked Salmon

I'm always trying different ways to prepare salmon, and I really liked how this one turned out, so I decided to share this really simple recipe. Jake hates fish and P-man barely tolerates it, but they both managed to somehow choke this down. I don't get the turn-off, personally, because it's one of my favorite meals! Yum!


Ingredients:
2 tablespoons canola oil (or light olive oil)
2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tablespoon garlic salt and omit extra salt)
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1/2 tsp dried)
2 fillets salmon

Directions:

1. In a medium glass bowl, mix all ingredients except salmon. Remove skin from salmon (helps prevent that overly fishy taste) and place fillets in bowl with marinade and flip and scrape to cover. (Optional: marinate in the refrigerator about 1 hour, turning occasionally).
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
3. Place fillets in aluminum foil and seal. Place sealed salmon in a glass dish and bake 35 to 45 minutes, until easily flaked with a fork.
   

Ironing Irony

I finally got around to that ironing, and look what I found while ironing one of my shirts:

It figures.

Of course, I admit that I buy cheap clothing. Twenty-five years from now none of my clothing from today will ever show up in a vintage clothing store.

Show & Tell Tuesday

For something a little different, I thought it would be fun to participate in Jenny's Show and Tell Tuesday.



I decided to take and share pictures of a couple of my least favorite tasks of the day.

Ironing.

OK, so this is really yesterday's chore rolled into today's chore. Hopefully it won't roll over into tomorrow's as well.


And...

Stirring a new jar of peanut butter.

As I opened the jar with a knot of dread in my stomach, I made a silent vow to not make a mess "this time," but I'm just not that talented, I guess.

I briefly debated taking a picture of Parker's poo-poo in the potty (second day in a row!) for Show and Tell today, but decided that no one needs (wants) to see that. :)

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"You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5: 14-16

Message From Dada

It's been a rough Saturday. P woke up early soaked from head to toe in pee. I cleaned him and his bed up and tried to get him to go back to sleep, but my poor sick boy's cough was keeping him awake. Then, while eating breakfast, P had a huge coughing fit that caused him to throw up. My poor boy. :(

Dada not only had to go in to work today, but he had to go in early. Parker was delighted to find that Dada had left him a special note. Here's a video of Parker reading it:

Thank you, Dada! You helped brighten our day. We love you. :O*

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"Jesus said to his disciples: I tell you not to worry about your life! Don't worry about having something to eat or wear. Life is more than food or clothing. Look at the crows! They don't plant or harvest, and they don't have storehouses or barns. But God takes care of them. You are much more important than any birds." Luke 12:22-24

Grandpa, Grandpa, He's Our Man!

Fun Video Friday

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"At that same time, Jesus felt the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, and he said: 'My Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I am grateful that you hid all this from wise and educated people and showed it to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that is what pleased you. My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who really knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so that they can know him too.'" Luke 10:21-22

Thankful Thursday

This has been a tough day. Well, actually a tough week.

One of P's two-year molars finally started cutting through his gums. I think he actually feels better now, though.

He's had a yucky cold which has meant less sleep (for all of us) and lots of...

Boogers boogers everywhere,
Boogers boogers in our hair!

I'm trying hard to ward the cold off, but my throat has been sore and scratchy the last couple of days.

Dada's had to work late every night this week, and he's working Saturday. Poor guy.

I've mentioned this on Facebook, but I've been so puffy and bloated feeling from PMS that I've actually woken up in the middle of the night thinking about it, and mentally making up poems about it. Per my little sister's request, here are a couple of the silly poems I do remember from that night I woke up. They're haiku's for you.

Puffy hands and feet.
My face is full of pimples.
Stop torturing me!

Pickles and ho-ho's,

My appetite's a bit strange.
Say, here comes Aunt flo!

Today I started my period (at least there's some relief from the PMS) after just finishing two weeks ago (my last period lasted two weeks).

I burned my right hand and wrist with a cup of tea this morning.

But, with God's help we're getting by (literally... I've been praying a lot and reading the Bible a lot for strength, patience, and encouragement). It has really helped. I can say that I've definitely had more patience this week than most. And there have, thankfully, been some great things that have happened this week, too! Here are some things I'm thankful for this week:

I'm thankful that the tough things this week have all been little things. There are WAY worse things that could be happening to us.

I'm thankful for the new books my parents sent for Parker. He LOVES them. And one of them, in particular, has just been the perfect metaphor for this week. It is a book of cute poems titled, "Oops!" Here's a sample poem from "Oops!"

FEVER ACHIEVER
I've got a thermometer in my mouth
because Mom says I'm sick. It
is better to have it north than south
(where she wanted to stick it!).

I'm thankful to have discovered our monthly house payment even with taxes, mello roos and association fees will be less than our current rent.

I'm thankful our air conditioning is working.

I'm thankful Parker has been doing so well with potty learning, even while not feeling his best.

I'm thankful Parker and I have found lots of reasons to giggle and laugh this week.

I'm thankful for my parents' generous gift into P's college fund (for no special reason than just because).

and I'm also thankful for all the cute moments we've had that I remembered to journal...

One morning I was reading my Bible and drinking my tea and Parker became very interested, of course, and kept coming over to see what I was reading. When I was done drinking my tea, I asked him if he wanted to pray with me. He was very excited about it and closed his eyes and folded his hands, as though he'd done it a thousand times. It was so cute. After our prayer and saying "Amen," he got off my lap and walked away saying something about Jesus. A few minutes later, he was asking to pray with me again, so this time I asked him to say the prayer. It was short and sweet and ended with an "Amen!"

Another time we were folding laundry and P-man picked up one of my bras and put it around one of his shoulders. Here was the ensuing conversation:

P: "I'm wearing Mama's underwear!"
Me: *laugh* "That's my bra."
P: "This goes on Mama's boobies."
Me: "Um, Yes. Yes it does."

One day Parker was playing with his "cool" orange car and he would get up and run a short distance saying, "I'll be right back." Then he'd pretend he was getting a tool from Dada's toolbox and would run back to the car and pretend to "fix the battery." He then started talking to me:

P: "He's got hash pipes!"
Me: "What?!?"
P: "Hash pipes."
Me: "Oh, exhaust pipes?"
P: "YES! Hash pipes."

We were out driving today and Parker pointed to a stop sign.

P: "P-O-T-S spells stop!"
Me: *laugh* "S-T-O-P spells stop, silly! You read it backwards!"

Potty Learning Adventures

*= sarcasm*Oh man, this is FUN!*/sarcasm*

Parker has been using the potty since about 15 months, but only recently when the hot weather hit did we decide maybe we should try it full force and actually try to get him to stop wearing diapers during the day. For two days I let him run around the place bottomless.

The first two days went way better than I expected, except he did poop on the carpet. *laugh* It was easier to clean up than later when he pooped in the underwear. One of the two days I had moved his potty chair into the living room for quick access and by the end of the day it was quite full. One minute I was thinking I should move the chair back into the restroom and clean it up and sure enough the next minute Parker completely tripped over the thing and knocked concentrated pee all over the carpet. Eeek!

He gets a sticker every time he uses the potty, and at some point in time he started collecting them on his dresser. As you can see, he's got quite the collection (it's grown quite a bit since this picture even).

He likes to put the stickers next to other similar stickers. Here are a few samples of his different "groups."

The third day of our potty learning adventure we had the trip to Disneyland and I just planned on him being in diapers and giving it a break so that we could just concentrate on having fun. We were surprised to find out that he had stayed dry up until after lunch! I felt a little bad because I thought maybe he had held it in. It took some time and effort, but Grandma and I convinced him to use the potty at Disneyland and then just put the diaper back on him. We loaded him up with fluids just in case and he didn't hold it again after that. We were kind of busy the rest of the week so, again, we didn't do the training full-force like the first two days. We tried putting regular underwear on him but he tended to forget when he was wearing them and would just go. I had forgotten that Jake's mom had given us some pull-ups for Christmas and I was afraid to let him outside in just the underwear because of it.

I knew that we'd have to take the potty training outside of the house to ever reach full success, so I eventually remembered the pull-ups and dug them up. We started it up full force again and he's doing awesome! He stayed dry at church on Sunday with the pull-up, but he doesn't often tell us when he has to go. He got really upset when he saw other kids leaving to go potty and the volunteers had to buzz me to come help figure out what was wrong with Drama Llama. I took him to the restroom and he stood up on a stool and went. Fortunately he likes to go "like Dada" because it makes bubbles.

Monday we went to my doctor's appointment and later in the afternoon to Toys R Us and he had the same pull-up on all day! He did well in every public restroom. Unfortunately, public restrooms don't usually have stools so while at Toys R Us I invested in a portable toilet seat cover that folds up and stays in the diaper bag. A couple of incidents of wet knees from being on the ground to help Parker stay on the seat were enough to get me to spend the $9.00. We haven't used it yet so I'm not sure how well it's going to work.

Yesterday, he wore underwear all day (except we put a pull-up on when we went outside for a walk and diapers during nap/quiet times) and we didn't have any accidents! He's getting a little better about telling me if he has to go, but usually it's just me reminding him to go.

Our biggest hurdle so far has been getting him to poop on the toilet. He used to do it quite often in the beginning when it was new and fun, but now he only goes during his quiet time in his crib (AKA his Poop 'N Play). I'm not sure how to change that routine for him. He does it almost every day and has done that since he was really little. He prefers to wait until he's alone and can relax and "let loose." So one day when it was almost quiet time, I set him up on the big toilet and gave him lots of entertainment.

He sat there for 45 minutes with no results. But sure enough it all came out during his quiet time. Any advice/suggestions on the poop thing would be much appreciated!

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"Then he said to his disciples, 'When you welcome even a child because of me, you welcome me. And when you welcome me, you welcome the one who sent me. Whichever one of you is the most humble is the greatest.'" Luke 9:48

Disneyland

As everyone pretty much knows, we surprised Jake (Dada) for his birthday by taking him to one of his favorite places - Disneyland! I secretly signed him up for the birthday club so we could get him in for free and then invited his family to join us. It was Parker's first time at Disneyland so it was special for that reason, too. He did REALLY well. No fussing or anything.

Um, I went a little overboard with the pictures, I think. I hope you enjoy them anyway!

Waiting for the train, our first "ride" of the day.

Small World. Looks like I was the only one enjoying it. *laugh* Parker liked it a lot... he just often puts a serious face on when he's absorbing something. Just like his Dada.

Autopia (I think?) .

Buzz Lightyear Ride.

Hubby and I waiting in line for Thunder Mountain.

Parker loved the Jungle Cruise, of course. Even waiting in line!

Parker also had to drive every parked vehicle we came across.

I had been prepping Parker about Winnie the Pooh but he only wanted to see Tigger... who was at the end of a VERY long line near the end of the day. So we faked it and took a picture from the sidelines. :) He enjoyed climbing the honey pots more anyway.

Tony Roma's for dinner!

I think Grandpa was pretty tired.

Uncle Drew and Grandma Connie checking out photos.

Dada gets a free birthday dessert!

All in all it was a great day... and we had two-fer tickets so we'll be going to California Adventures soon!