Rough Love

Here is Olivia and Dalen's latest playdate. Poor Yibby! Dalen loves her so much but he ends up showing it through roughness. Enjoy a few pics of Yibby desperately calling out, "Someone rescue me!" You can see thats what she is saying through her expressions. Notice Dalen is the ONLY one smiling in these pics.

My Little Man

On Sunday night, I took Dalen to revival. We got home past his bedtime and he was exhausted! He just kept trying to play and play and finally there was silence and we looked over and there was Dalen just laying sound asleep.

But I saw more than that...a little man! What happened to my little 6 pound baby? He is definitely growing A LOT!

Dalen found my moms glasses laying at the store. Yes, she wears them with only one thing behind the ear and yes, she looks about as funny as Dalen does.

Once upon a time, all his meanness just melted away with one glance of this.

Wonderful Weekend

Love @ 1st sight

Dalen and his lover, Jaylee

Me and Andrea @ girls night out!

Frightful faces during our scary sleepover during the "tornado"



What a great weekend! Here are the highlights.

1) We began team building with arise staff...fortunately it went really well and we had a lot of positive feedback.

2)I had three friends come in from out of town, so saturday night was an official gals night out to Carrabbas! YUM! Nothing like good food mixed with great friends. While on the way home we were all bombarded by texts, calls and weather updates warning everyone in the area of a string of tornadoes on their way! YIKES *teeth chatter*! This resulted in fun screams and visions of funnels headed our way.

3)My friend headed to a more safe and secure home with a basement "just in case". So...we let Dalen camp out in our room for the night "just in case" it was one wild and wiggly night. SLUMBER PARTY! Needless to say...there wasn't much slumbering due to Dalen a.k.a. Wiggleworm and the party popcorn was missing! It was nice and lots of laughs.

4)Sunday night I decided to go to N. Cleveland's revival. Is a nice time in God's presence until...there were a few disruptive sound effects. At once we were all startled by a few simultaneous snorts. A man was sound asleep in the next section over and 3 sections heard it. Just as we all refocused Olivia dropped a bomb! Needless to say we had an upper room experience with "a mighty rushing wind". Our whole section once again couldn't resist laughing. After getting Dalen I got a report that he hit, pinched and pushed during his stay. Not exactly the report a mom wants to hear. Ohwell, I was told once again...it was a phase.

Dreary Thursday

What an interesting day. Dalen is learning sooo much! I know he's only 18 months but I am CERTAIN he is ready to potty train! I am sure we will be price checking potties this weekend. This morning we are awakened by Dalen at 6:30 a.m.. This is a no, no. Of course, its a little hard to sleep in such a small house with a baby screaming so loud.

I begin to get ready for work and of course its raining. YUCK! Dalen doesn't like wearing hoods but I insisted considering we have to walk a million miles to work to avoid a ticket. I think it has to do with his hair being messed with. People are constantly badgering him about his big afro. I don't blame him for not wanting it messed with. So he was mad at me.

I turned some dance music on for him to release some energy. Before I knew it, he was pantless in front the the store mirror dancing and grabbing his crotch. Yep, he's ready to potty train. At first, I thought he thought it was cool he could take his clothes off and thats why he was doing it but as I began to evaluate it it's when he has messed his diaper up. So then he was SUPER mad at me when I wouldn't let him head bob around half naked. I was surely asking for it!

I just couldn't resist this SUPER ridiculous, outlandish tantrum on video. I think it helps when I can send it to Mario and he can share my pain. Enjoy and turn your volume waaay down!

Pantless Dance

He looks like a little monk...lol

Longest tantrum EVER.

watch as he wonders off pointing his hand is in the back of his pants...trying to get them off.

My Boys

There is no one in the world I care more about than my boys. Every prayer I whisper speaks of blessings their way and every dream I have is centered around their well-being. Lately, I sense transition approaching our life. I sense something great in store for our wonderful church, growth for arise, and change in our home. Hopefully these things will come to pass quickly. Sometimes you don't know how much these things entail until they have come to pass. Please pray for our little family and that God's perfect will surrounds every thing we do. God has finally given me such a peace with transitions that are occuring. Thank God for peace! There is NOTHING like it!

Ready to Roll!

The other day (after doing a great deal of shopping) Dalen had been REALLY good in Wal-Mart. Spring has been playing peek-a-boo with Cleveland, one minute it's there and the next it's not. I really wanted to get Dalen one of those bubble machines for outside on warmer days. I found a tricycle and thought hmmm this will be interesting. I put Dalen on it and whipped out my camera phone. He threw his head back and yelled CHEEEEESE! He loved this little bike and after just a few minutes he was moving miles. If it wasn't so expensive it would have been his, maybe for his birthday.

Gods of Retail

I found a really interesting article on AOL News today. It was quite inspiring! I began to read about several businesses who use their faith in God when selling product. I was pretty shocked when I read the driving force behind the article was Forever 21! Yep, the founders of the clothing company "love Jesus". I have never shopped there but know TONS of girl my age that do. The article says you can find John 3:16 on the bottom of their shopping bags. Another one-Dominos Pizza!

Did you know the founder of Curves was divorced to the mother of his 2 children and thrown in jail for not paying child support?! While in jail, he found God and the concept for Curves. Some others include; Chick-Fil-A, In-N-Out Burger, ALaska Airlines, The washington Times, Service Master, and eHarmony. Pretty cool, huh?

Funny Boy

Dalen is getting more and more hilarious by the day. I find myself cracking up at him constantly. He is starting to repeat things really well and I have been trying to take advantage of this a teach him things. I am getting an early start and trying to teach him why we celebrate Easter. He has responded Jesus! a few times at least.

I will ask him, "who is in the trinity?" He is learning to say fafa (father), son (ton) and holy ghost is just a shout. The other day I let several minutes pass to see if he could remember what to say. He looked at me confused and then said, "T?" Not quite! lol. T is his best friend and he willingly tells you that if you ask. On occaison its dada but most of the time it's T. My dad got him a Seasme Street remote for his birthday but he always thinks its a phone. The other day I pushed a button and it said, "hi!" Dalen started smiling really big and ran to grab it. He looked at it and said, "T? Hi!" Not quite again. He is so funny.

Mario was really wanting to get Dalen a learning program called my baby can read. Well before we found out it was $200! He was trying to convince me babies could read Charolettes Web. Yea, I was about as convinced as you are. I said, "Mario, Dalen can't even say Charolette." Dalen turned around and came up to and said clear as day Tar-yette. WHAATT!! lol

He is a year and half old this month! He can officially get out of his crib and let's just say I sleep with one eye open. I love my boy.

The Invisible String Quartet

Have you ever extended a kind act out of the goodness of your heart? If may have been really BIG or incredibly small. If it was truly a matter of the heart and nothing else, you probably soon forgot what you even did. Matters of the heart are inspired by goodness and forgotten when completed. You forget them because they are an act of true selflessness.

But have you ever received a kind act and later realized a plethora of strings attached? You then experience feelings of guilt that lead you feeling obligated to paying back with interest. These unfortunate findings are just that, unfortunate. The root of kind acts with invoisible strings is manipulation.

Did you know the Bible advises us to not borrow from anyone, so that we don't owe anyone later? But did you also know it commands us to give? Give to the poor, orphans, naked, widows, church and so many more. Don't be careful what you give, be careful how you give.

If you have a gift in mind and you are expecting something in return later, you might as well not give it all. Because initially its an investment. You are giving a little for something bigger in mind.

God loves a cheerful giver.

No rest for the weary...

Well, it's been about hmmm...2 days since a Hood sick post. So you know what that means! It's time for another one! Honestly, I have been in constant prayer seeking an answer as to why sickness keeps creeping back into our home every few weeks.

Tuesday night I was FINE. We ate at Taki Yaki, went to Bible study and came home. I was REALLY full and as soon as I came in the door a chill came over me and about 5 minutes later my head was in the toilet until 4:30 a.m. the next morning. I was so weak I was crawling to the bathroom. I am not sure if it was food poisoning or a bug. Just in case...I won't be eating Taki Yaki anytime soon!

Mario tried to take care of Dalen, while studying for service tonight and catching up with our staff after Spring Break. Today it was back to the daily grind for him. I stayed home from work again, even though I am feeling a great deal better I am still really weak. Dalen is FINALLY napping and after my 14 hours of sleep last night I am sitting up and trying to regain some strength.

Though we have done a lot of traveling and stuff the last few weeks, do you ever feel like you are never rested up? Do you constantly feel like there are things in the back of your mind you JUST CAN NOT forget about? I am really trying to work on that. Like Tuesday night I was sooo sick and I am sitting there worrying about church and who is going to take care of Dalen and work...and my poor body is yelling you are going to worry yourself sickER! This is a HORRIBLE habit that came after I had Dalen. I have never been a worrier and I don't intend on being one forever. So here is just another bad habit of mine I am trying to erase. I guess the saying is true there is no rest for the weary.

Priceless

Aren't the pictures of your kids pricelss? I mean literally! I will never be able to go back to the toddler days with Dalen again. I take LOTS of pics. Here are a few recent ones.

BATH TIME! Can you tell he's saying CHEEEESE??
Here's Dalens newest outfit. I got it at Dilliards in Chattanooga. It was marked down and marked down again with an additional 40% off! WAHOO! Who said you HAD to shop consignment for inexpensive, good-quality clothes? NOT ME! This is a DKNY outfit and I think its soooo hilarious. Skinny pants with a button up. The shoes were from Target. I got them for $2 a year ago and bought them for Dalen to grow into. A whole outfit plus the shoes for under $20! WAHOO!

Highlights Of Mommyhood

Here's Dalen. This was taken yesterday. His fever was about 101 and he had no other symptoms. So, we took the day off to stay at home. Later in the day his fever broke and he has had no other additional problems since! Here are a few highlights of my day.

1. Woke up to a whiny hiney and realized he had a fever.

2. At about 11 am I noticed Dalen kept standing weird and squatting. He knows what it means to poop and pee and where his diaper is. (I think he will potty train early or maybe I am just hoping.) I asked him, "Did you poop in your diaper?" He stands up completely straight sticks his hand in the back of his diaper and pulls out a nice piece of a brown surprise. NICE! Needless to say, getting stuff out from under the nails is A LOT harder than just cutting them!

3. Dalen wouldn't eat all day and didn't really eat at all the day before earlier. I've learned as long as they are consuming liquids and staying hydrated, don't worry so much about eating. I let it slide after he kept running off with a cheerios. I wasn't really paying much attention to him actually eating them. Later I heard him crunching by the couch. He kept creeping down where I couldn't see him. Well, he had taken the Cheerios alright! Taken them and stashed them....IN HIS DIAPER! And he was enjoying a nice afternoon snack, straight from his diaper. At least, they hadn't turned into chocolate cheerios! haha

Isn't mommyhood so glamorous???!!!

18 Kids and Counting

So, I'm a little behind living without cable. This weekend I have been watching TV online and happened to run across 18 kids and counting. This show is about The Duggar Family, who allows God to decide on how many children they will have. They began using birth control until Michelle conceived while on the pill and later miscarried because she didn't know she was pregnant and still took the pill. What an awesome display of faith! I really respect and admire couples who choose this route as opposed to birth control and our own planning methods. After all, God really does know what's best doesn't he?

I was in total shock as I watched this show. Every child was respectful, well behaved and their faith in God is very evident in all they do. Their family motto is J.O.Y. Jesus 1st, Others 2nd, Yourself last. WOW! What a great motto.

Here are just a few facts about the Duggars that will leave your mouth on the floor.

1. They do about 200 loads of laundry a month (with industrial washers and dryers!).

2. Mrs. Duggar has spent over 20 years of her life nursing! (OUCH! Pansy me barely made it 6 weeks!)

3. They have purchased over 3,500 articles of clothing and ALL of them have been used.

4. All of the kids names start with Js.

5. Mrs. Duggar has had close to 8,000 contractions in all of her pregnancies! WOW!

6. All the kids are home schooled! I'm not sure how I feel about this.

I'm not sure the difference between this family and Jon & Kate Plus 8 but one seems to be chaotic & in total disarray, while the other is completely organized and structured. Great, now I want cable!

Just The Two Of Us

Well, the rest of this week and weekend it's just the two of us. Mario took off to South Carolina for a church conference and will be spending the rest of the week there with friends and family. Gosh I feel like we have been all over the place! So us minus him leave me and Dalen.

Mario left around 7 last night and after he left Dalen came and sat down in the floor right in front of me and we both exhaled deeply at the same time. Yep, its gonna be a loooooong week. Dalen has been pretty good so far and it's nice to share some quality time with just him, although I surely do miss Mario.

Don't quit your day job.

Here is Dalen TRYING to hug and love on Olivia.

Watch her chubby little hands keep pushing his arms away.

This girl could be on a deserted island and still not have enough space.

Student Loans, Bilingual and The Unemployed

Thank God for blogs! Of course I love to write, but I also love to vent my frustrations through writing. Well, I bit the bullet and achieved my degree thinking it would open a plethora of opportunities for financial stability. Man, I wish blogs had sounds effects. I would insert an annoying game show buzzer sound that leads you to TRY AGAIN!

I feel like corporations are literally punishing those with a degree more than rewarding us. Because of the economy, its like they would rather hire someone not as qualified than to hire someone overly qualified so they don't have to pay them what they are worth. Very frustrating. Ok Obama, what is your plan on helping us who are drowning in student loan debt and can't even get a decent paying job to start paying back?

I am also really frustrated that America is continually catering to those who can't speak English. Don't get me wrong, I think its great that people can speak 2 or more languages, BUT I don't think that I should be relinquished a great job opportunity because there are people wondering around that can't speak English....the primary language of our country! How are hard is it to realize that the longer we cater to these who can't speak English the less likely they are to ever learn English and less likely they are going to be to get a decent job which means the more likely taxpayers are going to be paying for them to live. IT'S REALLY UNFAIR!!!!

As if it isn't hard enough right now to get hired, we have add several more frustrating things to the list. This all goes back to being secure if our God, knowing he WILL provide.

Sexting

A few weeks ago, I thought I had officially heard it all when sexting seemed to hit every new channel. Just in case you haven't heard of it, sexting is when an individual sends a nude picture of their self to another individual through text.

I wasn't shocked by it. We all known teens are hormonally driven but sexting is beginning to create some pretty serious problems and a lot of teens are starting to pay some life altering consequences for this behavior.

One female sent a picture of her breasts exposed to a crush and he later sent it to a friend. These two boys are facing charges of child pornography because the female is under 18! Of course, I do not think sending these pictures is an ok decision or a wise choice but seriously, is it so serious that the court should jail two teenagers? What about the female? She voluntarily sent the pictures! Shouldn't she have thought about the ignorance of a young teen male and the potential the picture could have had?

I read today on AOL news a young girl, 18, committed suicide after her ex-boyfriend publicized her nude pictures after a messy break-up. Hmm, so now is he going to be charged with murder? I'm not sure.

The point is, these teenagers do NOT realize or understand the potential of this new fad. Who is going to teach them? That's exactly what AOL news is asking. Should the schools teach about this? Ultimately I think the parents should. But of course, look at the parents today. I think it is unlikely they will.

I really and pray I will on top of things like this. As Dalen grows we will see more and more of these crazy and consequential fads, I hope I am bold enough to talk to him about these things. I also hope the Lord will continue to be faithful in guiding the parents of the next generation to the root of the problem because its obvious there are some strong insecurities leading young adults to do things like this.

Wedding Week Away!

Saturday, my cousin Brittany got married in Florida. I had been helping her with wedding plans and I directed the rehearsal and wedding day so I went down on Tuesday. We had so much fun. I have so many cousins right around my age that I don't get to see as much I would like to, so it was great to just get to see them everyday. Here are some pics of the week!

Pedicures! Brittany's in the middle and her sister is to the left.
This is Jimmy. His dad owns the nail place and he runs around there all day.
Did I mention he peed in the floor while we were there?

This is Sheena's daughter, Aubrey. She is adorable! One of the best babies

I have been around ever.

Aubrey!

This is Brittany and her mom, Kaye.

Dalen and Mario came on Friday! I was so excited to see them.

This is Dalen playing out back with a toy.

Here is Dalen and Olivia all spruced up to go to the wedding rehearsal.
Olivia is crying because Dalen is invading her space.

She surely knows how to turn the waterworks on and off!
This was taken right after the pic of her and Dalen.

This is my cousin Madison and her dad Justin.

She has the most hilarious personality and kept us all

entertained.

Meredith and Olivia.

My Dad's parents and Dalen. Dalen is wearing his

new suit!

Me and Dalen.

Kisses for Olivia!

All tuckered out!

Brittany's husband is a firefighter.

This is the grooms cake! Isn't is awesome!

Dalen is such a dog lover. However, when he got to the house he was terrified

of my aunt Kayes dogs! The next day out of nowhere he became best friends with them and then they became terrified of him. lol

The white one is Turbo and the brown one is Gidget.

Dalen on the dance floor of the reecption.

The reception...so pretty!

Olivia and Dalen. Its a miracle! Dalen's touching Olivia and she

isn't crying or mad!

I can't believe I left without one single pic of Brittany in her dress! It was such a shame! But she made a gorgeous bride and I am so glad I got to be a part of her BIG day!

Picture Update!

Ok for any of you great organizers this is going to drive you in sane. Here are the pics from our weekend at the Biltmore, all out of order. CHEESE!

We need a jaccuzi tub!

Dalen speaking into the microphone faucet. Testing 1-2-3!

Dalen is excited his Pop is back!

Mario with a lion statue in the front of the house!

There she is!

On the shuttle ride to the Biltmore...it was a little scary.

Right before leaving for the Biltmore!

Friday night before dinner.