As I have gotten older, I have come to the conclusion that it is ok to be me. I am wierd I admit it. I eat plain noodles with grated parmesan cheese, I actually like to mow the lawn, and you would be really surprised to hear my thoughts when someone is having a seroius conversation with me. Have you ever back tracked your thoughts and wondered how you ever got to the thought of ice skating rabbits? Yeah, that's me.

Throughout high school and most of college, I would take offense to those faces that would look at me strangely after I made an off the wall comment, but now...not so much. It amazes me how much I have changed since last stepping foot on Bronco ground (my old high school mascot). How much more will I start liking myself in the years to come?

All I know is that I love me, and I wouldnt want to be anyone else!

I think I am at a point in my life that I am ready to get rid the negative aspects of it. After beating myself up for so long over things that I had no control over, it really is time for me to just let go. Just sitting here looking at my little boy playing at my feet makes me think about all the things I want to change about myself. I surely do not want him growing up feeling insecure or guilty.

God is truly SO good, and has given me so much that I am grateful for! And I know, that with Him I can fix my wrongs.

Thank you Lord for watching over me even when I wasn't watching You.

There are quite a few things that will gross out your parents. However, there is one thing that is beyond apalling, and will come as a shock to your mommy and daddy if done correctly. So, I am here to give you the best tutorial possible in order to help you thoroughly disgust your parent.


Step One: Learn fine motor skills. Specifically the Pincer Grasp. It will seriously come in handy.

Step Two: Learn to be quiet after waking from a nap. None of that whiny business. This task must be done in silence.

Step Three: Wiggle and squirm during a diaper change so that your parent is too annoyed to put clothes on you.

Step Four: Make your parent very happy by taking a long nap. One to two hours is the standard.

Step Five: While sleeping, or immediately after, use that lovely diaper to deposit a nice stinky present (you know which one I am talking about :wink:).

Step Six: Use step one to open the diaper and "explore" your findings.

Step Seven: Be gracious and share your finding with your toes, hair, privates, oh, and even your bed and paci!

Step Eight: Grin and giggle as your mommy or daddy walks in. Pay special attention to thier shocked face!!!

Note: This mission and accomplishment of it will bring you ample bathtime!!!











Yes, this is what happened to me today. I am still recovering.......

My little monkey was dropped off at my sister's house this morning. I was telling her about his diaper rash and how to put a cloth wipe inbetween his bum and the cloth diaper after putting the diaper cream. I showed her his snacks, and which he should have with lunch and which after he wakes from a nap.

I turned to give him a hug and he had already scampered off to play. I smiled, and said, "bye bye baby!" He looked up at me, said, "bye," went back to playing, and my heart broke just a little.

How did this little baby become so independant so quickly?

We have been house sitting for my Aunt this past week, and I can tell you that nothing beats coming home. I can sit in my chair that feels so comfy and soft, and I can organize everything unnecessarily, and find the pots and pans that I need when I need them. We made good use of the pool and little Monkey loved having a big "Bap" everyday...lol.

So, now I am back sitting in my chair and DH sitting at the desk, each on their own computer. I really do love this time, because it's not like we are ignoring each other b/c if he sees a crazy video on youtube he will show it to me, and I will talk to him about a blog I read.

I love how we are so comfortable in silence. The best way to explain it is that we dont HAVE to talk unless there is something to talk about. I dont feel an incessant need to make conversation, nor does he.

Right now, I am taking a break from facebook and organizing a copious amount of pics. I really do need to get all of Monkey's newborn pics from my mom, because right now I have a few of his birth and then none until 2 months old, which is when we came back home. I love looking through pics, and like any good OCD gal, I also love organizing...lol.

In this moment, I hope that Monky sleeps through the night so that DH and I can have a few hours to zone out.

So, this is the time where I claim to be a horrible blogger, and bow down to all my 9 followers and ask for mercy. There....done..

Where have I been you might ask? I have been existing and that is about all. It really is as sad as it sounds. After hearing a wonderful message on faith and healing, I came away from church yesterday feeling invigorated and refreshed. I truly think that I have had PPD (Post-pardum Depression) these last few months, and have been trying vehementantly to deny the heck out of it. Why? I don't really know. Will I just pop out of it suddenly and go back to the happy go luck woman and mother that I once was, no. It will be a long and trying process.

At this point, I don't want to commit to anything b/c we all know that I commit to things very flippantly and then quit a few months down the road. I want to be happy again, to wake up and want to be a mother and a wife to the two most amazing people I know.

I will be reading the book of James this week, and acutally studying it. Not reading it like a novel like I was prone to do before. Did you know the book of James was not written by the apostle James, but by James, Jesus' brother. It takes on a whole new meaning now, right? Imagine living under the shadow of the Son of God. Phew!

Will I promise to be a better blogger now? I don't think so, not promise, but I do not want to stay away. Feelings and emotions are so much better expressed than suppressed, so maybe I will use them here, to get them off my chest perhaps.

I am sorry to those that have been worried about me, especially Caleb and my mom.

Things are looking up. (And I mean that in a literal sense :-))

Ok, so don't throw beets at me, but after being four miles from our hotel on the way to Jazzfest, DH and I realized we forgot the camera on the bed. So, the jazzfest pics are all on his Microchip for his phone, and he has been getting home at 11pm everynight this week. I plan on getting those pics on Sunday and will update this thread when I get them done.

Now, forward ho'....lol

After much walking and sun from Jazzfest on Friday, DH and I decided to sleep in until right before check out on Saturday and then adventure around the French Quarter until our legs fell off or until sun down, which ever came first...lol. The entrance to the Riverwalk was a block from our hotel, so we did some shopping and caught lunch. It was so nice walking, holding hands, and talking. We would sit occasionally and just watch the boats and ships pass by. Around 1pm we arrived at the French Quarter, and being the woman that I am, I wanted to walked into every shop...well, except for the sports memorabilia one :). we were able to get some stuff for Christmas presents. I have to say, my favorite part about the French Quarter was the street vendors. I have never seen so much handmade items all at on place. It was like I was in heaven.

The atmosphere is so relaxed and calm. There is no one there that is in a hurry, and the vendors gladly let you peruse their things. The art is amazing and beautiful. All around the park fence, artists hang their work for sale, and they sit there painting while you walk around just looking. Horse drawn buggies are waiting in a line for you if you wish to take a ride. Around 2:30pm we popped into Cafe Du Monde for a snack and a very much needed potty break. We both decided to have Beignets (Ben-yays) and to share a Coke. They were DIVINE!!!! And really, they just made us even more hungry.

We walked down to the French Market, where you can just about find anything. We walked and walked all around the booths of Mardi gras masks, voodoo dolls, homemade home decor, books, jewelry, dresses, and so so much. We must have stayed there forever just shopping (and spending too much money...lol).

To cap off the night, we to the Market Cafe, which we went to before on our way to Georgia to evacuate from Hurricane Ike. We shared a seafood platter that had fried Jumbo Shrimp, Fried Oysters, and Fried Catfish all on top of fries. Oh, and a Louisiana Lemonade ;). It was seriously the best ever, and we were so full.

We trecked back to our car that was parked at the hotel 8 miles, and headed home. We had so much fun and enjoyed each others company so much. It was a much needed break, even though I miss Brayden tons.

When we got home, Brayden was sleeping, but I couldnt resist getting him out of his bed just to hold him while he slept. Around 11pm he woke up, and smile the beautifullest smile ever. It was as if to say, Mommy, I am so glad you are home. He stayed up for about 45 mins, and did not want to be with anyone else. I loved it.

Headed out to start our day
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The notorious Bourbon Street (not so crazy in the daylight hours mind you)
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An apartment in the French Quarter
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St. Luis Cathedral and Art
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St. Luis up close
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Pic of the Sanctuary (yes, I did sit on the floor to get this shot)
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Palm Reader
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Trombone Player
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Horsey!
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Cafe Du Monde Beignets (covered in powdered sugar)
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Num Num!
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Powder sugar fiend
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Pouting because My beignets somehow disappeared
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Tuck in a toy store!
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Wow!
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:-)
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Louisiana Lemonade
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yummy!
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Steamboat
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Street Vendors
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At my mom's house picking up Brayden, look at that smile!
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We came home to a hot house, so Dh and I stayed up waiting for our room to cool down (Brayden has a fan in his room that was going all weekend for some reason). I checked the kitties' water and food and went to unload the suitcase. When I went to turn out the lights to go to bed, this is what I saw.

Can you tell me which one is the piggy?
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