Dishwasher Safe

Top rack only.

Quin's favorite thing when I'm doing the dishes is to help.  And by help I mean put toys in the dishwasher, push the racks in, take stuff out, and try to climb inside.  Never a dull moment.  ;)

Another thing I miss...

Since my in-laws went home, I have to really find things to use with our meals because our dishwasher just doesn't seem to fill up like it did when they were here... I just hate having to run a not-so-full load.  :)

Like a sponge

Quin and I were sharing a fruit snack this afternoon...

When they were gone, I did the all gone sign we do and gave him the bag to show him. 

He took it and crawled away.

I watched to see where he was going with it - he went straight for the trash can in the kitchen and threw it away! I have never shown him how to do that and thought that was pretty smart.

Affecting my brain

So, I'm sitting here thinking, "Why isn't my headache going away??"

Then I looked down and saw that my extra strength rapid release generic form of Tylenol are still sitting on my desk in front of me.

Yeah.  Might help if I actually TOOK them.

Geesh.

Sign of the times

I saw this on a friend's facebook page - love it!

I don't see why texting is so popular - as far as I can tell, it has the possibility of diminishing your smarts.  Your spelling ends up atrocious, not to mention your grammar... and why, if you need to talk to someone, wouldn't you just, I don't know, TALK to them?
Anywho... that's my two cents worth.  ;)

So sad

Just wanted to say thank you again to my in-laws for coming to visit.  We really enjoyed your company and will miss you terribly! (I had to leave today shortly after you left just to get away from my depressingly empty house...and Quin wouldn't nap AGAIN so he was game for it, anyway.) 

Dave - I mentioned you were gone to Quin right after you left and he said in a rather sad voice "Dada" and did "all gone" with his hands... it was very sad. 

And guess what? We forgot pictures! Again!

Guess you'll have to come back sooner than later.  ;)

I am so fortunate

I don't want to brag or make anybody jealous or anything, but I can still fit into the earrings I wore in high school.






(HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!)

My Dad

Yesterday was Father's Day, as you all know.

I forgot to call my dad. 

I sent him a card, but I don't know if he's gotten it, yet.

I called him today, and of course he said it was fine, but I still feel bad.

I wanted to put it out there for him to read how blessed I've been to have him as my father. 

He's a big reason I am the person I am today. 

He's taught me patience, virtue, accountability, humility, responsibility, and integrity.  Not only has he taught me the value of work before pleasure, but how to work hard, be loyal and determined and be someone everyone can rely on.  He's taught me how to play, which, for me, is a lesson I have to refer to often.  He's taught me how to stand up in the face of adversity and when the going gets tough, get tougher.  Never give up.  Can't never did.  Just do it.  And be happy. 

You have to choose happiness. 

He's taught me to be a loving parent and how to build strong bonds with my children.  He's taught me how to stand up for myself and for others.  He's taught me to stand up for what's right and never waver.  He's taught me to build a strong foundation on the Lord and rely on Him always.  He taught me how to be a good teacher, a good listener, a good friend.  He taught me the importance of serving others and showing love for all. 

He gave me my sense of humor, my good arm and my balance on a bicycle.  He gave me my motion sickness on the merry-go-round and my love for pickles.  He gave me my love for the outdoors and my need for order and control.  He gave me my freckly skin and my love for music. 

I love myself because he taught me I should. 

I love the Lord because he did, too.

I've been truly blessed to have him in my life. 

I love you, Dad!

All it takes is a click

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Looking inside myself

A few days ago, I posted something I felt I needed to get off my chest...or get it out there for someone to read in order to make me feel better.

I've come to realize that in trying to make someone else see their own issues with self-esteem and imperfections, I was simply masking my own insecurities.

Being human, I think, makes insecurities a given.  We all have them, even if we're too busy pointing out other people's insecurities to realize it.

For some reason, I feel threatened by people who think they're better or smarter than me.  That doesn't mean I agree with them, not consciously, anyway.  But I think it means I don't feel sure enough of myself to realize that it doesn't matter what other people think. 

I need to realize I have my own gifts and talents and intelligence (see, even now, I feel the need to make it known that I'm smart - WHY?) and that just because other people have areas where they excel, doesn't mean I can't or don't.

I guess what I'm saying is shame on me for trying to make someone else feel bad in order to make myself feel better.  I hope someday I won't feel the need to do that.

No more bink! No more bink! Yay!!!

Quin slept all night long without a pacifier and had two successful naps today without one, as well. 

I think this is the end. 

Knock on wood.  ;)

IMO

People who think they're better than other people in any way have self-esteem issues, I've decided. 

If they didn't, they'd be wise enough to know that comparing yourself to others is foolish.  They'd know that everyone has talents and gifts and places where they excel, that H.F. loves His children equally, so what right have they to think otherwise? And if they were to truly look inside themselves instead of spending all their time trying to compete with and be better than others, they'd realize that they were being foolish because they would surely find, along with their own gifts and talents, all the imperfections and weaknesses that should be keeping them humble.

I'd seriously like to see the look on their face when judgement day arrives and they have to own up to their stupid pride.

Butt Paste

I haven't blogged in a few days and wanted to so you get to hear about how I'm Butt Paste's newest fan. 

Quin's been teething (like forever - the top two next to his front two are finally breaking through) and was getting multiple stinkies a day.  (I don't care what doctors say, teething DOES have an effect on their acidic content!)

Anyway, Desitin wasn't working and actually made him SCREAM when I put it on so I took a lady in line at Kmart's pharmacy's advice and bought Boudreaux's Butt Paste. 

He actually calmed down when I put it on. 

Love it!

And on another totally awesome note:  Quin refused to take his bink tonight! He totally went to bed without it! We've had him only using it in his bed and nowhere else for a while now and tonight he did NOT want it.  So, who knows, maybe we're going in a good direction with this!

He's standing now, which is awesome.  And saying more words both in sign language and through speech.  I just can't believe how fast this kid is growing!

Two sons, two fears, one GATE

Once upon a time, before I had kids, I saw something on TV where a child was running through the house with a toothbrush and ran into a glass door causing the toothbrush to penetrate (i.e. jam into) the back of the child's throat. 

This was fear number one of mine with kids. 

When Andur was two, he fell with a crochet hook in his mouth and the rest you can probably figure out. 

Been there, done that, if I can do anything about it, NEVER doing it again.

Fear two:  choking.

I've been certified in CPR/First Aid many times and know what to do in case of choking.  Children choking is something I've never had to witness or do anything about...

...until today.

I gave blood today and shared my treat with Quin. 

My MIL said (I think - it happened so fast) "Jami, he's choking."

I said "Really choking?"  And as I said this, he kinda went limp.  No noise, no struggle.  Just slump. 

I yanked him out of his stroller faster than I remember and as I was pulling him out, he coughed it out.

I don't remember the last time I felt so scared.  I'm thankful for my MIL being there and the lady next to us for the moral support they gave afterwards.  It happened so fast, but really, it was horrible.

Biggest fear #2:  check.  I will be pre-chewing his food from now on.  (LOL)

And now for some great news:  Andur made it in to the G.A.T.E.** program at school! They start this program in 3rd grade and they get to be in it until high school when they do A.P. classes and such.

So, there you have it.  Two sons, two fears, one GATE. 

I'm calling it a day.  ;)


**Gifted And Talented Education

I DID IT!!!

I set a goal two weeks ago to lose 5 lbs. by today and I did it! Exactly 5 lbs., too! Woohoo!!!

I'm not only excited that I lost the weight but that I set not only a goal, but a weight loss goal, and I did it! I accomplished it! I stuck to what I said I was going to do and it worked! YAY!!!

I'm going to keep going with this and see how much more I can lose.  I have found (as I have before) that I really love exercising and how it makes me feel and eating less and more healthy isn't hard at all.  I've been reading a book, lately, that has really opened my eyes to food and the industry that is oh-so-sneakily making it so we want more of it.  When I finish it, I'll post about it on this blog.

Anywho, my in-laws are here and it's time for breakfast... I just couldn't wait to post my great excitement for the whole world to see.  ;)

Two bathrooms down, one more to go...

I've decided to nix spring cleaning for life and just clean when my in-laws come.  :)

(So K & D, that means you have to come at least once a year, twice would be better...)

That's mostly what we did yesterday.  And for days before that.  And today.  And will still do a little tomorrow. 

That's how we spent our Memorial Day.  Cleaning.

I'm only posting this to follow the trend of the "look at what we did for Memorial Day posts" and the plethora of "spring cleaning" posts.

So, there.  Trend followed.  ;)

I'm so excited for Thursday...  Maybe I'll get to sit and do nothing for a minute.  Ha!