Vacation Pictures

Now back to blogging.....

After being gone for over a week, it is so hard to get back into the swing of things. We had an amazing time in Florida. The kids were as good as they could be staying in one room. Angie and I really had a good time talking and laying out by the pool. When we are at home, we don't get much time to just hang out.... it was almost the best part of the trip. Want to know what the best part of vacation was? Brett surprised me and came down on Monday. He called my cell phone from the lobby of our hotel and told me that he was going to a meeting for work. I looked up and there he was! I caused a commotion around the pool! He only got to stay until Wednesday but Mason and I enjoyed every minute that he was with us!!

Ok, so, Angie and I could totally be on the show Girls Gone Wild because we sort of did. Sunday, Angie got her belly button pierced. I wanted to really bad but I chickened out. All day Monday I thought about it and tried really hard to build up enough courage to do it. Finally, at about 8:45pm Monday night, I said, "Let's go before I change my mind." I knew that if I at least got in the van with Angie that she would not let me chicken out. So, I got my belly button pierced!!

Then on Friday evening Angie and I both got tattoos. I already have one on my back that I got about 7 years ago. I forgot how bad it hurt! Oh my, I thought that I was going to have to squirm off the table and run out the door. I had my fists clenched and my toes curled. I was making some really ugly faces. I had no idea that there was surveillance cameras all around me. I really hope that no one was watching me for those 30 minutes.

Mason had a blast. His hair turned five shades lighter. He almost has white hair. He swam everyday and learned how to doggy paddle. He really looked like a puppy with only his little face out of the water.

Anyway, we had a great vacation! Now back to reality......

Today I woke up feeling very sad. I know that I should be so excited because Mason and I are going to Florida this morning. I am excited but I am leaving a huge part of my heart here. Brett has been on trips for work that lasted a week and Mason and I survived that. But this is the first time that Mason and I are going to be away from home for 7 days. As I am sitting here blogging, I have that feeling in my throat you get before the tears come. But of course, I won't cry because then Mason will cry. He is also really torn between staying with his daddy or going with his mommy. I had no idea that going to Florida without Brett would be so hard. Brett and I need to plan our own family vacation. If he could just get off work. That's seems to be the hard part.

On a lighter note, the sun is just now lighting up the sky because I have been up since 6am doing some last minute packing. I'm still searching for the air mattress. Anyone seen it?

Alright, I am going to close for now. I will be in a van with four kids for over 4 hours..... I may need a tranquilizer!!

Countdown

The final countdown has begun for our vacation. Mason and I are leaving Saturday morning with Angie and her kids to go to Florida for 7 days. I am really excited and so is Mason. The only thing that would make our vacation complete is for Brett to be able to go. He has to work and can't seem to find a way to wiggle out of it. When he first told me that he couldn't go, I thought that he would find a way. We are getting down to the wire and he is really not going. Bummer, huh? This vacation week is the only week of the entire year that we are all together as a family with no work, not softball, no doggie obligations and no alarm clock. But I will go with Mason and enjoy the time with him, Angie and her kids. We don't do anything except eat, sleep, lay around the pool and play the occasional game of bingo. My favorite night is when a DJ comes and sets up on the pool deck, which overlooks the ocean. We act silly and dance for a few hours. It's so fun! Of course, this year Angie and I are taking our new bod's, so watch out Florida!!!

Angie and I are both getting a souvenir while we are there..... a tattoo. We both already have one but we're getting another! We are both getting the palmetto and moon from the SC flag. My problem is which color. At first I thought pink but I'm afraid that pink won't show up really good on my skin, especially if I have a tan.... which I will when I get back from Florida! So, help me out!!! Give me some suggestions for colors. Angie is getting hers in navy blue but I think that I want something a little different. Any ideas?

I hope that I never have to move!! Amy and Billy are in the process of moving this week and we have been there every night. We have moved box after box from one house to the other. Poor Amy has a backache, a shoulder ache, a foot ache... basically an all over body ache. She looks exhausted and so does Billy. Their new house is gorgeous and I know that they will enjoy it for many years to come. But like I said, I hope that I never have to move!!

I am getting up at o'dark:30 again in the morning to walk with Jessica. I felt really good all day until I got home. I definitely ran out of gas as soon as I walked in the front door. I really should go to bed now but here I am blogging.

Our Flip Flop Club has a new blog that I think is really great. If you want to see go here. It' s very cool that we can all blog about whatever. I have the best group of friends ever!!

Bernie Singing In The Faith Home Choir

Bernie Mac

Mom, Dad and Ryan went to Greenwood, South Carolina to visit Bernie this weekend. I wish that I could have gone because I really miss him a lot. Doesn't he look great?! Thanks to Mom for letting me post these pictures!!

My Mixed Up Blessings

A lot of times in life, we are so busy that we may not notice all of the blessings that God gives us. Everything that we own is a blessing whether it's clothes, a house, cars or even something as simple as electricity. This weekend I realized that I have some new blessings... New Friends.

I think that enjoying friendship is one of life's sweetest blessings. What would we do without friends? We all need friends in our lives who we can discuss deep issues with, confide our secrets, fears or sorrows. We also need friends we can laugh with.

I am extremely blessed to have a group of friends, some old friends and some new. We call ourselves the Flip Flop Club. I like to think of them as my mixed up blessings. We are all very different but still sort of the same. Some of us cry at the drop of a dime. Some of us have 3 or 4 kids. Some of us drive minivans or SUV's and some of us drive Hondas. What makes us so similar is our love of life and now each other.

We had our 2nd Flip Flop dinner Saturday night. I'm not sure about anyone else but I had a great time! We laughed until we cried and then we laughed some more. As Mason would say, "It was stinkin doodoo fun!"

The best times in life are made a thousand times better when shared with a dear friend but I am blessed with a group of dear friends. If that's not a blessing, then I don't know what is.

I just want to say that I am really excited about several things that are happening this weekend. Today at 12:30pm I am playing golf for the first time in 4 years. I will probably make a complete fool of myself but I will have fun doing it. I am playing with Angie and Jessica. Watch girls!! Beware of flying golf balls!!!

The other thing that I am really looking forward to is our Flip Flop Supper Club tomorrow night. I am the hostess with the mostest and I am really excited about the things that I have planned. I tried to put a lot of thought into it because all the ladies that are coming really deserve a fun night out, full of laughing and being silly. I hope that it is just that!! A fun night out!

Party Pictures!!

Last Wednesday, I went to church for the first time, on a Wednesday in years. I will admit that I only went because Mason had choir practice. I tell myself every Wednesday that I should go to church but I don't.

Today I called Sandy and asked her if she wanted to go and take Noah and Mason. So, we went...

I wish that everyone reading this blog could have been there because I can never put into words how it was. The service started with song and then prayer requests. People were just raising their hands and asking for prayers for people that they knew. I almost raised my hand and asked for prayers for Bernie but I decided not to. I sat and prayed for him during the prayer time. Next, a very talented woman sang several songs. I had tears in my eyes the entire time. It was beautiful.

Then at the end of the service the Pastor said that he had saved three prayer request for the end. He asked for prayer for his daughter and son-in-law and for my grandparents. My grandmother has shingles and hasn't been at church for a few weeks. Then he asked for prayers for my mom and dad to continue to be strong for Bernie. He said that Bernie had been on his heart for the past few days. He said that our church needed to pray earnestly for Bernie. I can't remember exactly what he said but I know that Sandy and I sat on the back pew and cried. The Preacher then asked that mom, dad and I come up front so that everyone could pray for us and Bernie. He invited anyone who wanted to to come down and stand with us and pray. Half the church came down front and we all prayed for Bernie. It was an amazing experience. I pray all the time for Bernie and for other people in my life. It was really great to have some many other people praying for him. I wonder if Bernie felt it at that moment.

Do you think that it was a coincidence that Sandy and I were there tonight? I haven't attended Bible study in years and years but tonight I was there and God showed Himself to me. It was not a coincidence that I was there. It was God's will.

Weight Watchers - Week.... I'm not really sure!

I have no idea what week this is in my Weight Watchers journey. I have lost 19.8 pounds and I am trying hard to maintain. I have 4 more weeks of maintaining and then I will be a lifetime member! What's so great about that?? I won't have to pay anymore!!!

This Saturday I am hosting the 2nd Flip Flop Supper Clup dinner. I am really looking forward to it. I think that there will be about 9 girls so I am a little bit nervous about where everyone is going to sit but I'll work it out. I am making a casserole that I hope will be yummy! I do have a few surprises up my sleeve so you ladies had better be prepared to have a really great time and tell your men not to wait up!

Arrrrr, mate, thanks for coming to me party! Tonight, before bed, we'll toast to yer health with a bumper of milk an' wish ye fair weather with lots of heavily laden vessels to plunder!

Happy 4th Birthday Mason!!

I woke up this morning with tears in my eyes because my baby is officially 4 years old. He was born at 11:36am on a Tuesday morning looking just like his dad. He was mad as fire and screamed for a long time. As you can see from this picture, he looked like he had been in a fight. I think that he felt like he had. He had black eyes and bruises behind his ears and head. Poor little fella!

4 years later, Mason is my life. I would walk through fire for him. He does wear me down and sometimes he makes me crazy but that's the way it is with kids. Today I can't imagine our lives without Mason in it.

Mason loves to listen to music and he loves to dance. He enjoys playing outside and helping his dad in the yard. He loves SpongeBob Squarepants and Ben 10. He learned how to pump his legs on the swing this week and he is so proud of that accomplishment.

By the way, if you want to see a gorgeous baby girl, go here. Her name is Ashlynn and she is so beautiful!!! I love babies!

This picture was taken the day before I had Mason four years ago! Wow! My tummy was large!! If I didn't remember that shirt, I would swear that this wasn't me!

Mason woke up today bubbling over with excitement. He has asked us 20 times, "Is it time for the party yet?" It is only 8:38am. We may go bonkers by 2pm.

Tomorrow is actually Mason's 4th birthday but he thinks that it is today because we are having his party today. He is singing in the children's choir at church tomorrow. I think that it will be very good. He screams when he sings so it will probably be very funny. If I get a good video on my camera, I will share it with everyone.

This week has flown by. Tomorrow is Mason and Will's birthday party. We have a lot to do but here I am blogging. We are having a pirate party complete with eye patches, gold coins and balloons. It should be fun but very exhausting!

It's hard to believe that four years ago I was preparing to have Mason. We were anxious and we thought we were ready. Is anyone ever ready to bring a baby home? When we left the hospital with Mason, I remember looking at Brett and saying, "Can you believe that they let us leave with him?" I was scared because we were going to have to take care of this little person.

I think that so far, Brett and I have done pretty good with Mason. He's very polite and tender hearted. He washes his hands after he uses the bathroom. He keeps his room nice and shiney, as he says. He is a great kid and we are very blessed to have him.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep....

Last night, Mason said his own prayers. Usually we help him along or he repeats what we say. I told him that he can pray about whatever he wants. He's actually very good at it. Jessica (a.k.a. Cheesecake) told me that I should try to record one of his prayers. So, I put him to bed, while hiding my camera behind my back. He started praying. About halfway through he realized that I was recording it and he mentions the camera.... too funny! It's very sweet. As you will hear, Mason loves people and he talks about school. The screen is dark and I was moving around some, so don't get dizzy!

Since it's Sunday, I am going to keep this short! Mason never was a great sleeper.... unless someone was holding him. He would cry for so long in his crib but the minute that he was picked up, he was sleeping. You know what you call that disorder, right? BEING SPOILED!

I should have known that he wasn't going to be a good sleeper because for the last 2 months of my pregnancy, I slept sitting up either in the bed or in the recliner. I'm not sure why but my hip would kill me when I laying in the bed. I have been sleep deprived ever since. He still doesn't sleep all night every night. He is in his own bed but about 3 times a week, he calls mommy or daddy in the wee hours of the morning. We go in and either lay with him or just stand beside his bed and he goes back to sleep. I don't even think that he is awake when he does it.

A Letter To Mason

Today, 4 years ago, was my due date with Mason. I was large and in charge and sooooo ready to have him. This week I am going to share things about my pregnancy and the week leading up to Mason's birth. Today I going to share a letter with you that I wrote to Mason right before he was born. I put it in his baby book for him to read when he is older. Here goes...

Dear Mason,

You aren't born yet and you won't be able to read this letter for years but one day you can look back and know that I have loved you from the moment that you were conceived. I'm sure that I will be overcome with love for you once you are here. I have such great dreams and hopes for you. I promise to help you achieve anything that you dream of.

Although I'm sure that our lives will change once you are born, I now can't imagine my life without you in it. You are my heart and soul. You will be the twinkle in my eye.

Since I found out that I was pregnant, I have talk to you. If I talk for a few minutes, I swear that you start some serious kicking. You have definitely kicked your way into my heart. That is were you will stay forever.

I will always be here for you... even when you are a teenager and try to ignore your crazy mom. I can't wait to meet you sweet boy.

I love you always,

Mommy

Poor Ripley

This morning I dropped Ripley off at the vet to be neutered. Poor little fella had no idea what was going on. He was wagging his tail when we walked into the vet. He thought we were just visititng some nice people.... Little did he know what he was in for. I felt really bad leaving him there. He was working his pitiful puppy dog eyes when I left. His eyes were screaming TAKE ME WITH YOU! But.....

Maybe he will stop chewing up Mason's toys and my pillows and basically anything that he can get into his mouth. Maybe he will stop humping every animal that comes to the house. Maybe he will stop barking so much. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

He has to stay over night at the vet so I don't get to see him until tomorrow. Tonight I am going to have to tell Mason something to explain Ripley's stitches so that Mason won't be too rough with him. I am sorta looking forward to a Ripley-free night!

Boys Will Be Boys

This afternoon, Sandy came over with Noah. Mason and Noah have become good friends. Then Robert and Wes came over to play. So, Sandy and I had our hands full with four boys. They played on the swing set, played baseball (with Sandy as the pitcher), played basketball, ate Lunchables, and just ran around and had fun! Of course, Mason stepped in dog poop but besides that, it was fun for the boys.

Right now, Robert, Wes and Mason are in the next room taking turning sitting on a whoopie cushion. They are all giggling. I can hear Mason now saying, "Robert, you pooted!" Wes just said, "Hey! It's my turn to poot! I wanna poot, too!" They are cracking me up!

This week, Mason class is learning about the letter A. Every day this week, he has to take something to school that starts with the letter A. Today we caught a frog and named him Alfie the Amphibian. Mason was very proud to stand in front of his class and talk about his frog. He also said that he told his teacher that he was going to bring an acorn to school tomorrow and that it would probably hatch. Guess what he told her would come out? A frog!

Happy day after Labor Day! We had a pretty uneventful weekend of cleaning the house, painting furniture and painting the screened porch. Sounds like fun, huh? We did go in the boat with Amy and her family. It was really nice. We thought we were going to get rained on but the dark clouds went right around us, leaving us with sunny skies! Saturday night, we went to mom's for my dad's birthday party. It was crazy because we all have so many boys. Boys are so loud!!! Even when they try to be quiet, they are loud. But it was fun. There is nothing that I love more than spending time with my family.
Sunday night, we went to my in-laws house for dinner. It was really yummy. I got to meet Brett's Aunt Sandy for the first time. She is a super nice women with a really warm heart. She was so sweet. She met Mason and of course, she loved him! Who wouldn't love him?
Mason informed us on Saturday that he changed his name. He is now Ben 10. There is a new cartoon called Ben 10 and Mason decided after watching it that it was about him. So, right now, he is Ben 10.... silly boy!!

Calgon.... Take Me Away!

Ever feel like that? That is how I am feeling this afternoon. Brett went to the doctor today and found out that he has strep throat. Good thing he went , huh? He got some seriously big horse pills and is already feeling better....although he is taking Motrin 800's and seems a little bit daze. I picked Mason up from school and he has been a turdhead ever since. If you have kids, you will be able to relate to this. He wanted a snack but couldn't decide which one... so he screamed. He got mad because the car on his race track wouldn't go all the way around.... more screaming. I told him to leave his daddy alone because he was trying to sleep.... yeap... more screaming! I had to put him in his room and close the door because I was about to lose my cool. I know that I can't expect perfect behavior because Mason is so young. I jinxed myself because I just told Ivette that other day that Mason had been an angel. Wonder where that angel went? Anyone seen him?

Blog? What's that?

Okay, so I am currently suffering from bloggers block. I stare at my blank posting screen and nothing comes out. Not sure what is up with that! Here's what has been going on in my world.

Brett is sick. He started feeling weak and achy about two days ago and has gone down hill from there. He has had fever, achy legs, sore throat and extremely tired. He has been getting up and going to work but hating every minute of it. He worked on the new shed for a few hours yesterday because he is stubborn. He does not like going to the doctor but I made him an appointment and told him that he WAS going. He agreed so he must really feel yucky. He goes to see the doc on Friday at 10:30am. Say a prayer for him.

Mason is learning all sorts of things at school. He comes home everyday with something new to tell us about. Yesterday he said, "Mommy, did you know that in Botswana that men kill the elephants for their tusks and they make jewelry with them?" I told him that I didn't know that. Then he said that he told his teacher that he didn't think that they used the tusks for jewelry. He thinks that they use them to roast marshmellows on. What an imagination!!

Well, that is what is going on here in our world. Nothing too exciting. I hope that everyone has a great weekend!

Weight Watchers - Week Nine

Yeah... Nine weeks! Time has really flown by and I have worked really hard to lose a grand total of 18.6 pounds! I am now at my goal weight and tickled pink about it! The tricky part will be to maintain for the next 6 weeks so that I can become a lifetime member and not pay! I am allowed to add more food to my daily intake and I am a little bit nervous about that. If I go 2 pounds over my goal weight, I have to start over with the whole maintaining thing. I paid for six more weeks last night and I am NOT planning on paying again. So, I guess I will have to figure out this maintaining thing, huh?

After the meeting the Flip Flop Club went to Applebee's for dinner! It was really yummy and really fun! I love that we can all laugh together and enjoy each others company. It was fun and I look forward to our next get together. We don't have a meeting on Monday because it's a holiday so I will update everyone next Monday on my maintaining progress!

Have you ever been in a room and you swear that you could reach up and touch God? Like He is right there with you, sitting beside you or swirling around you? I felt that yesterday at church. If my eyes hadn't been so full of tears, I think that I could have seen God's face.... actually I take that back. I did see the face of God, reflecting in the faces of all the people there. His Spirit touched every person in that room, I know it did. Not only because it was Bernie's last Sunday before leaving for 2 months but because we opened our hearts and God's presence came in. I was overwhelmed with the out pouring of prayers for my brother, the tears that were shed and the hugs that were given. He left this morning on the wings of an angel and I am so thankful for all the prayers that got him there. If you know Bernie then you know that he is a special man with a heart that loves and the gift of humor. The devil had a very firm hold on him but yesterday I saw his grip loosen. I saw the proof running down Bernie's face in the form of tears. I know that before Bernie was even born that God had a plan for his life and that this was part of it. Prayer changes people not the situation. I am truly amazed at the change in so many people because they have been praying for Bernie. I know that I have grown in my faith because of this. I am a witness to the awesome power of prayer and I will continue to lift Bernie up in prayer along with so many other people in my life.

My Word Cloud

Dear God,

I pray this prayer for my baby brother,

He touches my heart, he's like no other.

His life has been rough Lord but You have a plan,

All You needed was for him to reach out his hand.

He's going to come out on the other side,

With a smile on his face and pep in his stride.

I pray for him now, as I do everyday,

That Your will be done, come what may.

The chains are already snapping one by one,

Let them continue to fall until they are all undone.

Keep the devil away as he trys to get well,

Please continue to free him from his manmade hell.

Many tears will be shed while he is away,

But we will all be rejoicing on his homecoming day!

I pray this prayer for my baby brother,

He touches my heart, he's like no other.

Amen

Is God Your Friend?

Yesterday, while riding in the car, Mason said, "Mommy, I'm really sad." I asked why he was so sad. He responded by saying, "I'm sad because there are people in this world who aren't friends with God and Jesus and I won't see those people in Heaven." After I picked my bottom jaw off the floor, I told him that he was right but that we would see a lot of our friends and family in Heaven when we get there. He started asking me if Angie and her kids would be there? Would Noah, Ivette, McKenzie and Brookie be there? I told him that if they live their lives for Jesus and accepted Him into their hearts, that they too would be in Heaven. That satisfied him and he was quiet for a few seconds. Then he finished up our conversation with, "Mommy, I think that the creacher is Jesus best friend." (He calls our preacher at church the creacher.) So, this wasn't our typical Thursday afternoon conversation but it confirmed to me that when I talk about God and when we go to church, that he's starting to understand what it takes to get to Heaven. So, let me ask you this question... Is God your friend?

The Poopsicle

On Sunday, Mason was eating a fudge bar (WW Giant Fudge, of course) on the deck. Mason must not have been paying much attention because one of our dogs, Chewy, took it right out of Mason's hand. Oops! Well, Chewy ate the fudge bar and the stick. Oops again! We all know that what goes in must come out and it did on Monday. GROSS! So, there was this popsicle stick in our yard covered in something that looked a lot like fudge but wasn't! OOOOOO! So, our neighbor came over with her little girl so that she could play with Mason. At some point during their playtime, my little shih tzu, Ripley, came out to potty. Well, he found a great treat and proceeded to enjoy it! NASTY! My neighbor asked, "What in the world does Ripley have?" I replied as straight faced as I could, "It's a poop popsicle." I laughed so hard that I thought I would wet my pants! Now that is some funny stuff!!

Weight Watchers - Week Eight

I have lost 17 pounds!!! I am only .8 away from my goal and I am so excited!! Can't you see it written all over my face???

The Flip Flop Club

Saturday night was our first women's supper club. It was hosted by Jessica and I really believe that she stood in her kitchen and cooked all day long! She made appetizers, fish tacos, mango chutney, homemade salsa, ginger coconut rice, ginger slaw and black beans and corn. Can you say YUMMY? The food was incredible, as was the company. We giggled and chatted the night away. For dessert, we had homemade by Jessica tiramasu that was out of this world good! And believe it or not, everything was low in fat and high in yumminess..... okay so it was low in fat until I had more dessert... oops! She even had dinner music playing and pretty menus printed. I am hosting the next dinner in September and I feel a little bit under pressure! How do I top fish tacos and tiramasu? At least I have a month to think about it! Thanks to Jessica for the fun night!

On a different note, I got up and went to Sunday school this morning. I haven't been to Sunday school since I was a child. Jessica's husband is the Sunday school teacher and a really great person so I got up and went. I have to say that I really enjoyed it and I will be going back! It amazes me how God works. He knows exactly what he is doing and His timing is perfect. I joined WW with Jessica and have gotten closer to her because of it. Her husband is a deacon at my church and the young adult Sunday school teacher. If I hadn't joined WW, I probably wouldn't have gone to Sunday school because, well, I have no excuse so I'll stick to "just because". God works in amazing ways!

On a third note, when I got home from church at 12:30pm, Mason was still sleeping. No, not nap time. More like never got up this morning time. I woke him up and he seemed fine. We went to Wally world and then stopped for lunch. He still seemed fine. He played all afternoon. I went for a walk at about 6:30pm and when I got home around 7pm, he was sleeping again! He was only awake for 6 1/2 hours. Of course, my mommy intuition kicked in and now I am waiting for what ever he has to surface. Brett says that I am overreacting but why else would he sleep much? It has to be something. I guess time will tell. I hope that he stays asleep and wakes up refreshed and ready for his second week of preschool!

Doggone Dog!!

Okay, so, I have a shih-tzu named Ripley that I have had for 1 1/2 years. He is a really sweet dog who loves to be around people and he loves Mason. He loves my female boxer, Tyson, and he loves to go for walks. He also loves to chew up anything that he can get his mouth on! I am about to lose my patience with him. He has chewed up Brett's pillow twice and I had to replace the pillow and the case both times. He chewed our dresser, Mason's NY Yankee pillow, hundreds of Mason's toys, ALL the pillows and the bedskirt on the daybed in the spare room, two quilts while Brett and I were sleeping under them, the carpet in the dining room, his bark collar, my shoes, Billy's flip flop and so much more that I could go on forever! We try to keep all the bedroom doors closed but sometimes Mason opens one and forgets to close it. He chews things while we are in the same room as him. He chewed Billy's flip flop, in the computer room, while we were on the computer. We were 12 inches away from him and snuck over and started munching away. I started putting him in his crate at night while we sleep because I can't trust him. Just this morning, he jumped up and stole a pair of Brett's underwear out of the clothes basket and destroyed them. We have spent tons of money replacing things that he has destroyed and I am about at the end of my rope. He is almost two years old. Shouldn't he be over the chew everything up stage? Should I get him fixed? Would that even affect his chewing?

I need help and I don't know what to do. I would lock him in his crate all day everyday, even when we are home, but that is mean and he would bark the whole time. I would put his bark collar on him but he chewed it up! DOGGONE DOG!!

Mason Funnies

I was hugging on Mason and noticed that he had a bug bite on his chin. I asked him, "What is on your chin?" He said, "Mom, it's whiskers!"

I told Mason the other day that I was going walking. He begged me to stay at home with him. I told him that I really needed to walk. So he said, "Okay mommy. Go walk cause I don't want you to be fat."

When I woke Mason up for school on Tuesday, he wasn't ready to get up. He looked at me and said, "Mom, your breaking my heart cause I don't want to get up."

Mason and I were going into a convenience store and passed a man who had dreadlocks in his hair. He must have been a painter because his clothes were covered in paint. Mason said, really loud, "That sure is a dirty old man!"

Weight Watchers - Week Seven

This week I ate a lot of food so I wasn't really sure how much I had lost. One day last week, I was eating everything in sight, although it was all Weight Watchers friendly food. I just couldn't get full. But I still managed to lose 1.4 pounds this week for a total of 14.4 pounds. I have about 3.4 to go before I will be at my goal weight. Yeah Me! I am really excited about it. I have been walking a lot and even ran once.

This Saturday is our first Women's Supper Club at Jessica's and I am so looking forward to it! Stayed tuned to find out how my week goes!

Jessica, I just did a spell check on this post and your name came up as misspelled. The suggested spelling was.... cheesecake. I have no idea what that is about but maybe you should stay away from cheesecake this week! :)

My "Big Boy Adult"

Well, I survived the first day of all day school... I mean Mason survived. I dropped him off this morning and he was all smiles while chatting with his new teacher. She seems so great. She knelt down and got face to face with Mason and listened to every word that he said. He was nervous so he was telling her all sorts of things. The one thing that I was worried about was if he would eat and would he sleep. He ate peas ya'll! I couldn't get him to eat a pea at home to save my life. Anyone who knows Mason knows that I have a very picky eater on my hands! So, he ate.... and he slept. He laid on his nap mat with his pillow case that has his name on it (Thanks Jessica) and his "soft comfortable blanket" that Angie made and he slept. One of the teachers said that it took a lot to wake him up. He is a hard sleeper... she learned that today.

After I picked Mason up from school he told me that he was a "big boy adult" now because he goes to big boy school. He also told me that he slept next to a girl named Bella. Oh my!!

Hey ya'll! I wanted to let everyone know that Mason starts full-time preschool tomorrow. He is so excited about it and I am really hoping that his excitement keep on keepin on! I am sort of sad about the whole thing. I know that Mason will be a sponge and soak up everything that he is taught. I am really going to miss seeing Angie in the mornings and chatting with her in the afternoons when I would pick Mason up. Yes, it was a long drive to get to her but I would have driven further for Mason to stay with her. I am so blessed to have two great sisters and even more blessed that one of them has helped me care for Mason for the past 4 years. I really am sitting here with tears in my eyes thinking about the 4 years that have past by so quickly. It seems like yesterday when I dropped Mason off at her house for the first time. I was sad to leave him but so relieved that he was with Angie. I could call her 100 times a day if I wanted to and she would give me updates. She has loved him like her own. She has done all the mommy things to Mason..... even suppositories!

So, starting tomorrow Mason is beginning a new journey in his life! But I couldn't let him start without thanking Angie for being Mason's stay at home mommy for the past four years! I love you big sis and hopefully when Brett and I decide to have another baby, you will come out of retirement!!

Is The School Bell Ringing???

Brett and I are toying with the idea of putting Mason in preschool 5 days a week. I work about 30 hours a week so he would be there basically full-time. Right now he goes twice a week from 8:30am - 11:30am. At first he cried every time I dropped him off but now he tells us that he wants to go to school every day. Of course, the decision is not Mason's. It's ours. Brett is all for it but I am not sure. I know that the decision doesn't have to be made today or even tomorrow but the preschool he goes to has an opening now. If we really want it, we have to jump on it before someone else does.

Mason has always gone to Angie's. I have been very happy with the idea of him not being in daycare every day. He has spent every day with his aunt and she loves him as if he was her own. That is very comforting to know. Lately he has been complaining because her kids are back in school and there is no one to play with. I guess he is bored. Angie does what she can to entertain him but it's hard to keep Mason busy. Everyday he asks, "Who can I play with?" Well, if he went to school every day, he would sure have a lot of kids to play with.

I guess I have gotten really spoiled because I have never had to deal with daycare. They don't love him like Angie does. But is it time for him to be in preschool? He will be 4 years old next month. I think that he needs interaction with kids his age but fulltime? I am really torn!

Mohawk Mason

I took Mason to get his haircut this morning and he told the barber that he wanted a mohawk. I couldn't believe it. Who does he know with a mohawk? Anyway, the barber looked at me and I told him to cut Mason's hair like he always does and I would gel it up when we got home. Well, Mason didn't forget so I got out my gel and gave Mason a mohawk. It's actually very cute! What do you think?

Five Things Tag

5 things in my freezer:

* WW giant Fudge Bars
* Smart Ones
* Veggies
* Corn Dogs
* A cool whip container with ice in it for my dogs.

5 things in my closet:

* Shoes Galore
* A lot of clothes that don't fit me! :)
* My knitting bag
* A lot of Carolina Rags purses
* Toys that I have hidden from Mason because they are irritating!

5 things in my car:

* DVD player
* Sunglasses
* About 3 bottles of Purel
* CD's
* Stale food (in Mason's carseat)

5 things in my purse:

* WW candy
* Watermelon flavor gum
* Motrin
* Purel (ok, so I'm a little obsessed with germs!)
* Receipts

5 things in my wallet:

* Mason's Identi-Kid card
* Voter registration card
* No money :(
* Prayer of Jabez card
* Haircut reminder card

Weight Watchers - Week Six

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it.... I'm about to lose my weight and I think I like it! Okay, so I started out in Weight Watchers with not too much weight to lose. I really admire the people who have lost and are still trying to lose more weight than I need to. But I have officially lost 13 pounds!! Did you hear me? 13 pounds!!!! That may not sound like much but to me it is and I am really proud of myself. I am 3 pounds from my goal weight. Since I had Mason, I have been putting on weight that I tried really hard to camouflaged. I was so unhappy with my appearance when I looked in the mirror..... Especially with no clothes on! I can honestly say that I can look at myself and smile.

Another thing that I am really excited about is the "network" of friends that I am making in WW. I actually think that I am more excited about the friends than the weight. Really I am! Weight comes and goes but great friends last forever!

YEAH TEAM!!

Pictures From the Party

60 YEARS OF LOVE

They walk hand in hand in the supermarket isle,
They look at each other and can't help but smile.
Their love has lasted with God at their side,
They just go and go, never missing a stride.

When they think no one's looking, they steal a quick kiss,

Just another example of 60 years of bliss.

I do believe that our God above,

Created MotMot and Skeebo to always be in love.

No other love in the world could ever compare,

They are perfect and so is the love that they share.

They love each other today, as they have from the start,

And they'll love forever, with all of their hearts.

Happy 60th Anniversary MotMot and SkeeBo!

Party Planning

Sorry I haven't blogged since Tuesday. My whole family has been busy planning my grandparents 60th Anniversary party. My mom decided that we would handle all the food so we have been to Sams and Walmart and every grocery store in between buying food. We have been collecting trays, recipes, punch bowls, flowers and paper products. We decided last night that none of us want to be in the catering business!

We all planned on going out to the church last night, where the reception will be.... until a huge storm came through and knock power lines down. As of last night, there was no power at the church. Uh oh! So, off to Amy's house! We invaded her kitchen and prepared all that we could. Thanks Amy for letting us use your counter space!

So, today is the big day! At 4pm we will all be celebrating 60 years of marriage. I will post pictures tomorrow.

Happy Tuesday!!

Hey everyone! I just got home from a 2.96 mile walk with my bud Jessica. It felt really great to get out and walk. It goes by so fast when I walk with someone because we talk and talk and talk! I gained 3 extra points for walking. (Jessica, let me know when you want to go again. I really need accountability!)

Mason is with Brett at Laurel Bay enjoying National Night Out. I have been home alone since I got home from work and I really don't know what to do with myself. I always wonder what I ever did to keep busy before I had Mason. When he is here, I don't stop and anyone with kids knows that it the truth.

Anyway, I will leave you with a Mason funny. We went to Ruby Tuesday's for dinner Sunday night with Amy and her family. Mason had to use the potty so Brett took him. He was in there for a long time.... I mean a really long time. He came out of the bathroom, with his head held high and announced, "I just destroyed that bathroom." Life is never dull with Mason around!