"Octomom"

I have 5 simple thoughts concerning the choices of this mother.

1. You can be mentally stable and make very poor & irresponsible decisions. I am not saying she is or isn't mentally stable I am just saying those who are and aren't stable make bad choices.

2. We all have voids and fill them differently. Oprah has to be one of the most annoying and smart elic people I've ever seen on TV. She acted like it was obserd to hear someone say she had a void in her life and was filling it with having babies. Well Oprah, I think its obserd you used to eat 3 big macs to fill voids in your life but its the same difference. You both had a void and you both filled them or tried to with something that wasn't very healthy.

3. I find it strange, really strange that people are grumbling about having to help this family with taxpayer's money. Ok I hate to break it to you, but if you want to be mad at someone be mad at the person majority of voters paid for....he's the one that is so gung ho on free healthcare and so on. So be careful who you vote for!

4. The children of this woman are TOTALLY INNOCENT in the matter. Don't you think their life is going to be hard enough as it is without idiots making death threats to their mom and refusing to donate diapers because of HER poor decision making? These kids need help. I am not saying to throw money at the feet of the mother but you can give things like formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, clothes...Isn't that we as Christians are supposed to do....help the least of these? You know I never see Christ in scripture evaluate people's cirsumstances and THEN help them. He helps all of us IN SPITE OF our ignorance, selfishness, irresponsibilty. I think we should do the same.

5. Do you know how moms are out there with tons of kids living off the government? They never lift a finger expect to get their welfare checks out of the mailbox. Yet, this family can't even make it to the bus stop without being photographed and scrutinized. The media needs to back off. This ONE story goes to show just how influential the media is.

Oh, and the doctor who performed IVF needs to be evaluated and punished. He is more responsible for this than Nadya...I think.

Three years ago

Three years ago today, I said, "I do!" Today has been a normal day with much to celebrate. Others may think 3 years is hardly enough to celebrate but I think every year you have made it is a milestone with how frequent divorces occur.

So here's to today...and they said we would never make it ;)

Even Dalen seems to be super giddy today.

He must sense the specialness of the day.
Here he is at breakfast smilin' away!

Look at her go....

Look at Olivia go! Yay! After eight months of toting her spoiled hiney around,

I think all of our arms can rest for a while as she begins to make herself find her own way

through this big, big world! I must say she is pretty fast!

Book Review Anyone?

When I was younger, I loved to read! LOVED Beverly Clearly, Judy Blume, Ann Martin and so many more! Today I love Beth Moore, Mary Higgins Clark AND Francine Rivers.

A couple months back my cousin REALLY encouraged me to read Atonement Child. Literally, I could NOT put the book down. Mario and I would literally fight because I was so addicted to this book, I would read it in the car which makes me sick. I finally finished and the craze was over....BUT NOT FOR LONG!

Then I came home with Redeeming Love (no one spoil it I am not finished yet) which is three times its size. I make up stories (or lies) that I need to bathe JUST to sneak away and read this book in the bathroom (its the only place I am not interrupted when Mario can keep Dalen out). I love, love, love it. I have about another 200 pages left but I am so captivated by the real and awesome story line.

I know most all of you have read this book (if you are into reading) but I hadn't. I have an awful habit of starting books and quitting but I am finally into this one and I can't stop. I already have another one of her books called Voices In The Wind that I will start when I am finished with this one. I can't wait.

Anyway just a thought I wanted to share with each of you reading....Several years ago I had an addiction to Days Of Our Lives. I know....SO STUPID and humiliating to even admit! But I did. I watched it EVERYDAY and Mario would get so mad at me. We would literally fight that something so stupid shouldn't even be worth my time and the garbage filled in that show shouldn't even be turned on....he was right. I quit watching.

I didn't quit watching until my bible study teacher ran something across me when discussing this obsession I had. (It was brought to her attention when Mario revealed it, thanks a lot!) She asked me why I watched it. My response: Because it was hilarious! Marlena prances in dead after dying last week! HILARIOUS! Austin forgives Sami after one shenanigan after another and then they re-fall in love! HILARIOUS!

Her response: Lazarus pranced in after being dead for three days but it was real! AMAZING! God forgave everyone in the Bible after one shenanigan after another but it was real! AMAZING!

Anyways....all of the drama and events we seek after in television and books is in the Bible. I am not saying TV is bad or a sin or reading is bad but when you read novels the way I am reading Redeeming Love I think it is dangerous. The story is based on a REAL STORY from the Bible! But I have never literally exscused myself to go read the Bible! Why? I am not sure.

My point in this post is just to ask for your love to be rekindled for God's word the way our passion burns for novels and sitcoms and events. Could you imagine how much our spiritual lives would be enhanced? Wow, a lot.

I Have Butterflies!

I have butterflies! They are swarming all around in my belly! Tomorrow is our three year anniversary and on Friday we head for our FIRST getaway since Dalen has been born to the Biltmore. I am soooo excited!

I think Google has gotten about 50 hits just from us checking out the area to see what else we can occupy our time with, besides the Biltmore of course. Thinking back to last year, Mario was jobless and we couldn't afford to do anything to celebrate another year together and this year we are going away to a really nice motel and I know we are going to have a great, much needed time away.

Here are 5 things I am looking forward to...

5. Waking up in the morning to silence....no crying, no alarm, no dreaded day ahead at work.

4. Packing our portable DVD player and hooking it up in our room to watch late night DVDs....WITH NO INTERRUPTION! (I have already googled directions to the nearest Bi-Lo to get our movies from REDBOX & I have the FREE code for the week WAHOO!)

3. Visiting the winery at the Biltmore. (No, I don't drink wine but vineyards and wineries have always intrigued me.)

2. Being able to go to places without seeing ANYONE we know! Thats the ONE thing I absolutely HATE about living in a small town. You can't go ANYWHERE without having to speak with someone.

1. Being with Mario in a new city, far from home (ok not too far, but far enough) and getting to see new attractions through his eyes.

Ok can you tell I am excited?? I just can't wait to be alone with Mario, with a change of scenery to spark new interest and new conversation and learn more about a place I have never been.

Let's pray we do ok without Dalen!

Preach Preacha

Recently, Dalen discovered the mics at church. He loves speaking in them while the band plays away.

More of Yibby

Ok I know I just posted a slew of pics of Yibby but I couldn't help but post another slew. She is just so stinkin' cute. Here is Dalen hugging Yibby on Sunday.
Ok if you don't just want to pinch and twist these cheeks something is wrong!

I wasn't squeezing them...Meredith was.

As you can see she has started wearing bows. Which is sooo rediculous because she has like 4 twigs of hair for the bow to attatch to. The bows usually end up being bigger than head but I guess they are "cute" looking. As you can tell I am not a big fan of bows but she does look all grown up and prissy.

Hospitality

Ok BIG confession, I am not naturally nice.  There I said it!  

I am not naturally mean either, I am just a strange character who doesn't show kindness as outwardly as I think kind things.  It's really weird.  My friends who are really close to me know I am nice and welcoming and loving but those on the outside always think I am mean...but I'm NOT!  

Or maybe I am.  I took a spiritual gifts test last weekend at the request of my husband.  My lowest score was....HOSPITALITY!  Go figure!  

Well with us taking part in a new ministry and everything I am going to try to be very conscience of the fact that this isn't a strength.  I am just not the type of person to meet new people, talk to strangers and be huggy.  I am trying though!  But then with this confession out in the open (I think its quite obvious anyway) I fear people will think I am fake.  So if I hug you or smile A LOT its not that I am faking affection or happiness I am just trying to display it in an outward way what I am thinking.   

Oh man, I sound nuts.  But seriously, I am really trying to create relationships with new people and create a comfortable atmosphere for newcomers.  Oh, and I am throwing a party at my house on Saturday...that's hospitable, right??  

This post has turned into a pat on my own back but its just an open post of something I struggle with and something I am aware of and working on.  God help me :)

READ THIS POST....PLEASE!

I recieved a somewhat scarry foward from a friend today, who NEVER fowards me stuff. If you have toddlers or you are around children PLEASE READ THIS!

Of course I can not confirm the foward is true but I think it's worth checking into. It was a story about a 4 year old little girl who was rushed to the ER after she became unresponsive and very lethargic at school. After dozens of tests and them all coming back clear, the teacher and class was questioned. The doctors soon discovered the young girl's hands had been sanitized and she had licked it off her hands (Dalen does this all the time!).

Her blood alcohol level from it was up to 85%! Three squirts is all it would take for a toddler to consume a fatal amount of this sanitizer. Be careful using this stuff! I would like to believe its not true but I don't think a little bit of caution would hurt anyone!

Dr. Bear

Dalen's last doctor's appointment was interesting. They wanted to a chest x-ray to make sure he didn't have pneumonia. He was quite brave and earned a bear for being so good. here is a few shots of him passing time at his appointment. I think he is gonna like step aerobics.
Dalen puckering up to his new bear. Anything with fur and a black nose
is a dog to him. So he kept barking at it. Oh well, he will learn in time.

Snowcapped Princess

Dalen's not the only one growing!!! Yibby is too! She is growing up to be quite the beautiful baby we all knew she would be! Here are a few recent shots and I will let you see for yourself.

Here is Yibby in her Sunday outfit after Valentine's Day. Hilarious!
This is my FAVORITE pic ever! She looks like a snowcapped princess.

All smiles!

Yibby started Parent's Day Out at the same school as Dalen.

She is also a BIG fan of the bye bye buggie!

Here Olivia is venturing into Dalen's dark tunnel (we made it from his carseat box).

She's a brave one!

Olivia is healthy and happy. We enjoy her so much & so does Dalen. The Parker family is doing great and God has opened even more doors for them to share their amazing and miraculous testimony! Meredith has been on the news more and in the paper more. She just did an interview for the Evangel as well. We are super proud of the amazing courage it takes to relive the scarriest moment of their lives as they share their story to thousands.

Rescue me!

I love Dalen's new shirt from Aunt Mary.

It has a BIG fire truck on it that says rescue team.

Design On A Dime

Target always gets me...ALWAYS! They have those cute little trinkets right when you walk in for $2.50 and under. Well, I am always trying to find inexpensive and simple ways to spruce Dalen's nursery up. I walked in today only to find a plethera of stuff that would go perfect in his room! Check out my cute and cheap deals! A monkey rug
A decorative pillow

These are knob covers for Dalen's chest! How cute!

And our VERY needed nightlight since we recently

learned Dalen isn't a big fan of the dark :(

All of this stuff was $2.50 and under!

Can YOU touch your tongue to your nose?

Dalen can!!

Leap of Trust!

Dalen loves his Daddy! After seeing this I now know why he is the dare

devil he is. Let's just say he has a little instegator named Pop.

Two Brides

Because Dalen and I have been sick, I have been able to watch daytime television...a lot. 

Yesterday after waking from a nap on the couch, I immediately began squinting to see if the television was really displaying a wedding with two brides.  After refocusing my eyes with my glasses I realized yes, this was the case.  

"What are we watching, Mario?"

"I don't know I've on my computer."

"I think they are showing a wedding with two brides."

"Yep, it looks that way."

We changed the channel and little did we know all across America people began doing the same thing.  Not that I endorse or believe homosexual relations are ok (because I surely do not) but I must say I am extremely bothered by the uproar.  I am so sick of believers and non-believers alike allowing heterosexual garbage leaking into their homes all the time but the minute a homosexual couple comes on the screen we all have a "problem".

Did you know having an affair is a sin?  Did you know having sex before marriage is a sin?  Did you know homosexuality is a sin?  You probably did.  If you did, I must ask you a question?  Do you rank sin?  We all know that the wages of sin is death so why do we tolerate some and not others.

I am so frustrated with my Christian girlfriends who literally become excited over Grey's Anatomy.  They watch this trashy, immoral, and sinful natured show weekly.  Yet, they are all in a dither because now there is some mention of a lesbian couple.  You know what, quit being a hypocrite.  Adultery and premarital sex are just as wrong and if you don't get the same discomfort watching same sex couples kiss that you get when you see an unmarried heterosexual couple grind half naked you need to check yourself.  

Let's leave, sin as sin and leave it OUT of our homes....altogether.

Germs, Germs Go Away...

leave for good and stay away!

This has been my chant the last few days.  Dalen and I are under the weather yet again!  We both have upper respiratory infections and Dalen has a bad case of bronchitis as well.  YUCK!  Snotty noses, crusty coughs, body aches and sweaty fever clothes....its been NO fun!  

Yesterday, Dalen did have a wild spurt for about 20 minutes and displayed some levels of energy I haven't seen in a few days (not that I missed it or anything).  He decided to climb on the arm of our couch, stand up straight and tall, hold his arms out like a soaring airplane and then he took a crash landing right on his head onto our hardwood floor.  

Of course, a few high pitched squeals and a couple tears and he was off attempting his next dare devil stunt.  Luckily, he wasn't hurt.  Whisper prayers for quick healing in our bodies!

Mama Loves You....

Every single night without fail, unless traveling or illness or some unlikely event plays a hinderance, you can count on the same thing to happen.  Mario is going to put Dalen to bed and occasionally I will stand in the doorway to watch or sit by the rocker to feel a part too.  Right as Dalen is drifting to sleep, Mario leans in close to him and says the same thing EVERY night, "mama loves you, daddy loves you & Jesus gonna save you."  

In between these phrases he kisses Dalen softly (sometimes I pucker up right after he says the part about mama and kiss him after that one) and then he gently places him in his crib. Tonight was different.  Mario went to Atlanta with friends for the Passion church service.  I had no desire to go so I told him to go without me and I stayed with Dalen.

Dalen is starting to become so smart and I really think his awareness of things increases daily. So I did everything Mario does and as I placed Dalen in his crib I said the 3 things.  It made me realize a few things.

1.  I miss my husband when he isn't here (whether I am conscious about it or not).

2.  There was no one here to abruptly turn the channel as soon as Extreme Home Makeover ended & the beginning of Desperate Housewives appears (we do NOT allow such ridiculous & immoral shows to play in our home & I hope you don't either.)

3.  He is REALLY good at putting Dalen  to bed and very patient.

4.  Dalen reminds me of Mario more when Mario isn't here.

5.  Somedays I think I am content with the 3 of us and immediately after the split second I think I am, a longing in my heart yearns for so many more babies.

Moms Nurturing Moms

Today was Moms Nurturing Moms for February. It was about Fireproofing your marriage. Meredith and Jonathan were able to share with the moms their testimony. They did an amazing job and Tara related this months meeting to the movie Fireproof. It was really good.

I am not sure what it is lately but I feel surrounded by babies...everywhere! My friend Courtney Wheeler came today and brought her baby Christian...adorable!

Christian
I got to help with Olivia today.

Playing in the floor.

She kept peering over Meredith's shoulder spying on me.

Here's how I found Dalen when I picked him up .

I hope this is a sign of things to come!

Gusty Winds

Ok, so maybe school administrators haven't TOTALLY lost their minds, maybe they have finally found them! 6 years ago students crouched in hallways with battered textbooks over their heads, today they are sent home for "gusty winds"! Are you kidding me??!!

A few weeks ago, the students were let out due to cold weather. 7 years ago our heat broke at Cleveland High and we had to finish a half a day with no heat and weather in the 20s before they let us go!

Top 5 Reasons Classes are cancelled so flippantly these days....

(sorry I just couldn't resist)

5. The administrators are beginning to hate their jobs as much as the teachers.

4. There are way too many law suits to risk keeping kids under the care of educators when you are considering even the slightest possibility of a weather dilemma.

3. Teachers and administrators don't want to have to hear the complaints of annoying parents more than they already do.

2. Who wants their hair wind blown from gusty winds?

1. God forbid a teen suffer from a minor cold due to "cold weather."

Chinny Chin Cheese

This is Dalen on his way to the mall with Aunt MyMel.

Can we say CHEEEEESE??
I got this this morning. I love Yibby holding her little hands
under her chinny chin. So, cute. She looks like a little doll.

Skype

Any of you reading probably know my dad travels everywhere. He is gone so much and Dalen misses him incredibly when he is gone. We have had Skype setup for a while but never had the chance to use it b-c Dad is usually on a totally different time zone.

Dalen LOVED it. Not only can he hear Grump he can see him too. Watch Dalen Kiss the screen over and over. If you listen carefully you can hear Dalen say mmmm (which is full warning you are about to get a sloppy wet one). He kept wanting to kiss and thats it! Too cute!

Grammys

Dancing to Cold Play

Last night we let Dalen stay up waaay past his bedtime to watch some of the Grammys. He loves music so much! From the 1st song til the last one we let him watch he was dancing away. Dalen's new word is hot. Everything is hot, hot. He knows lights and food and water can get hot so anytime he sees any of that he points and says hot.

Carrie Underwood performed last night and he literally stood frozen and watched her whole performance. I think he's in love! When she was finished he did one of those "I have no clue what I said but it was perferct timing" phrases. He pointed to the screen over and over saying "hot, hot!" Yea I have to agree, she is pretty hot.

Indoors vs. Outdoors

Ok Clevelanders, I know you can all agree what awesome weather we have been having! I LOVE IT. Today Dalen and me had to go to the post office for work. So I decided to walk and push Dalen in his stroller. Literally he was nothing but smiles the whole way! He loves the sunshine and outdoors. This is Dalen after we had to come in. He pitched a royal one! He kept point saying "side, side" for outside. I love his bottom lip curled out.

5 Super Silent Cheers 4 The Superbowl

This post is one you will just have to keep in mind for next year. Of course Mario and I watched the superbowl. Can I just say that no one every in the history of time had sang the National Anthem better than Jennifer Hudson! AMAZING! I think the commercials were disappointing..they are usually so much better.

Dalen was asleep by the time we made it home to catch the bit of the game. WHAT A GAME! Well a few outburts from Mario and that's all it took to establish some cosequences. I told him if he woke Dalen from his cheering he would be missing the rest of the game due to having to rock him back to sleep. Needless to say this led to some very creative, embarrassing and silent cheers for the rest of the game.

Here aer 5 Super Silent Cheers 4 the Superbowl (side note: I got all of these from watching my husband. He was completely out of control)

5. Raise your hands in tha air! Raise both hands in the air, fists bawled. Bring right fist to shoulder and back up in air. Repeat this step with your left arm. Keep alternating these steps between arms.

4. Stop, drop and roll. After an amazing play stop in amazement, drop to the ground and roll around on the floor.

3. Freedom! Jump out of your seat. Throw your arms in the air. Jog in place with your arms waving from side to side. (This one looked quite liberating)

2. The paddle boat. Move to the edge of your seat. Drop your jaw. Widen your eyes. Throw yours back to the back of your chair. Bring your legs up (like you are doing 6 inches) and kick them as hard and fast as you can while laughing hysterically and of course silently. You will kind of look like you are riding in a paddle boat.

1. East Side, West Side Riverdance. Stand up on your tippy toes. jog in place while moving to the east and then back to the west. Repeat this movement over and over.

Enjoy my husband humiliating himself on video. ha, ha

A few new videos

Don't let him fool ya, charm is deceitful.

Here is an awesome illustration of why kids don't need a lot of toys. Body parts come for free and they seem to be pretty entertaining.

You will do anything to hold your kid over in the pharmacy drivethru.

So long gated community

Well after months of Dalen living in his prestigeous gated community, he is now being tested by the lure of freedom. Our poor $9.99 wooden framed gate had, had its share of beatings from Dalen. Everytime he would even go near it, it seemed to fall over. Frustrated, Mario kept trying to put it back and I suggested we test just how good of a listener Dalen is. Our kitchen and living room is separated by a shiny, gleaming strip of metal. Everytime Dalen sees it glaring back at him (literally) you can see him struggling with a choice.

Surprisingly, he has done considerably well if you think of the fact that obedience is DEFINITELY NOT his forte. There have been a few crossings of the border but after capturing our little illegal alien and putting him back captive, he adjusts fine after a few tears.

Updates

We found the diaper bag! No, Dalen did not trash and no, it wasn't hiding under a mound of dirty laundry...it was safe and sound at Goody's. I called on Sunday but they said they hadn't found one. Mario called yesterday and they said it had been found yay!

We found my keys! They were in Mario's jacket pocket...who knows how they got there!

Here are a few recent pics.

Happy D
Dalen playing piano at church

stepchild

I love the fact that in every room of Dalen's doctor's office, there is some kind of animal mural on the wall. It helps pass time and its very educational. Dalen now knows how to say moooooo! We have had a monkey, cow, giraffe and zebra. I wonder what will be next...let's just hope we don't have to get sick again to find out.

How you can spend $80 @ Wal-Mart & leave with NOTHING!

Today was so crazy!  Flurries turned into a white blanket of snow that covered cars, yards and every roof in the city (for a few hours anyway).  Since Mario was at work I really felt we needed to go get groceries...just in case.  We had NOTHING.  I really didn't want to do it with Dalen being sick and who wants to go to Wal-Mart and fight over the last loaf of bread on the shelf?

So we arrive and I am waiting for the first parking space after the handicapped ones.  I couldn't believe it!  God must have smiled down on us and sent us a great spot.  Just as I am turning a big white van turns into it before me!  I just sat in utter disbelief.  An elderly man walked from the van.  I am honestly not sure that he saw my car, flashing blinker or my finder that he nearly knocked off while barricading me out of MY parking spot.  I drive to the next row and get one just as good, HA!

Wal-Mart was a mad house (what's new?).  I was hurriedly trying to get everything in our buggy.  The only time I stopped was to carefully read the label on these banana cookies I saw for Dalen.  We really don't do sweets yet but they had no sugar and they were made from whole grain wheat.  I mosey on back to the deli.  Dalen is getting anxious at this point.  He is pulling some snack packs up into his seat.  Over walks an elderly lady.  Ok I love my elders and I mean no disrespect but I was kinda in a hurry.  She begins talking to Dalen and I totally ignore her (I always ignore strangers that come up to me or Dalen), I mean I was taught you don't talk to strangers, right?  

She is leaning in MY buggy looking at what I got!  Unbelievable, lady!  She then says oh what do you have?  Cookies?  NO!  Mommy wouldn't get you cookies.  You're too little.  Ok Nosey Nelly, BACK OFF!  You are breathing all over stuff I am sooner or later going to eat.  Isn't it so annoying when someone speaks about you when  you are standing right there? If you want to know if I got MY son cookies ask ME and if you have a problem with that....too bad the key word in my son is MY.

Finally I said yes I did get him cookies.  No sugar and made from whole grain wheat.  Its amazing what they have, huh?  Just when I think I can walk off Dalen begins waving bye bye and shouting it.  So then she must run to her husband telling her to look and asking Dalen to repeat it.  Sometimes us moms just want to get through the store without a million stops of gawking people.

So I leave and spent $80.  I have a little philosophy concerning grocery shopping...If I am doing the shopping I buy what I want, what Dalen needs and what Mario suggests.  If I don't want it, Dalen doesn't need it and Mario doesn't suggest it...It ain't getting bought...by me anyway.  So when I text Mario and ask what he wants he gives me the typical guy answer...oh I don't know, just the regular stuff.  

So I get home Mario goes to make a sandwich and says where the mayonnaise?  Uh, you didn't mention mayonnaise.  Here we go again.  Mario is the pickiest guy on the planet.  He insists bread, ham and cheese isn't enough and refuses to eat a sandwich without mayonnaise.  So he asks what else did you get. I don't know, Mario! Look in the cabinets!  We begin searching through the cabinets and all we find is baby food, stuff for chili, waters, and a few snack things.  Is this possible?  $80 on nothing??!!  

I scored a frozen dinner out of the freezer.  After totally going off on Mario for being so picky and ridiculous I began to eat the dinner.  It was HORRIBLE!  DISGUSTING!  But of course, I couldn't tell him that.  If I did, he would use it against me after all I just said.  So I sneak over to the trash and carefully begin to throw it away.  Mario comes in and I smile slightly and keep walking.  He begins smiling and laughing.  Then he says, You just threw that away didn't you?  We both begin to laugh hysterically.  Oh well, I tried.

  

Only In Cleveland

Yesterday, our family was outside playing with sidewalk chalk and lighting smoke balls.  Today, I am home with a sick baby watching SNOW FALLING!  Unbelievable!  Ok, someone correct me if I am wrong...but does anyone else feel Cleveland is the ONLY place that can have these drastic weather changes?  

I am sure classes are being cancelled right as we speak.  Oh well, at least we were able to take advantage of the great weather yesterday.  Enjoy a few pics of a great Sunday afternoon.

Dalen dancing to music coming from the apartments behind our house.

Having too much fun!

Artists at work!

Boy are supposed to get dirty every once in a while, right?

Our colorful driveway.