Moon Cheese

Thank you for all your prayers concerning Cola Leese. She returned to Sky Ridge at 8 am Sunday morning and with no problems from the ER this time they took us to register to be admitted to the pediatric wing. The computer system was down so all of our information had to be hand written but it didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would take. After a heel stick and a lot of questions the doctor reported the cell count was back to normal and because her fever had been gone we could go home on an antibiotic. Our visit was about 2 1/2 hours and boy was I soooo thankful!

Dalen returned home and we went to the park with friends last night. He played really well and later called my dad and said, "Dad, I have a girlfriend and her name is Taris." That was news to me! So cute! I have done so WONDERFUL on my diet. I did splurge yesterday at lunch because my mom cooked for us but I didn't overdue it! I grabbed panera for dinner and that was my 1st meal I have eaten out in 7 days! I am really proud of myself. Self-control is a beautiful thing. Mario called while I was picking up my sandwich and asked if I would get him some Baskin Robbins. Dalen asked the whole way home if he could have some I told him, "This is for Daddy and I am sure he will share it." So, we get home and Dalen marches straight to Mario and says, "Hey Dad. That's yours and you can share if you want." I am pretty sure Dalen got the most ice cream.

This afternoon Dalen kept begging for "more cheese". Or at least I thought that's what he said! Then I realized it was saying "moon cheese" and he was referring to circle slices of Provolone. Pretty funny. We only have a few more days here in Cleveland! Slowly but surely we are almost all packed up and ready to relocate. It's definitely beginning to be a bitter sweet moment for us. Mario and I have been talking a lot about how different things are going to be. We have even thought of doing a year of 30 day challenges to strengthen our marriage and family. More of that to come!

Megan Hood, MD

Last night was our last Parent's Night Out. We had plans of a nice dinner and a funny movie. My mom randomly called to pick Dalen up from school and take him to dinner. The plan was to get Dalen by 5:30 and take him to Parent's Night Out and enjoy our last chance to take advantage of an awesome ministry that has done so much for our marriage. Just as I was about to get dressed I noticed the baby was burning up. I was certain she had a fever. I took her temp and it read 101.7.

If you read my previous post you know we had already been to the pediatrician and ER (for chest x-rays because of congestion) this week. I am totally convinced you do NOT have to have a degree in medicine to know when your loved ones are sick. I call the pediatrician and here's what comes of it.

Me-I need to speak to a nurse about my child's condition.
(I am transferred)
Nurse-This is Debbie Jay, one of the nurses's, how can I help you?
Me-We were seen yesterday for congestion and cough and sent to the ER for chest x-rays and some other tests. The difference today is that my baby is running a fever of 101.7 and the doctor told me to call if she began running a fever over 100.4.
Nurse-Ok. How old is the baby?
Me-11 weeks.
Nurse-11 weeks? Oh...hmm. I'm going to have to catch the doctor in between rooms because that is a pretty high temp. I tell ya what, while I wait for him to come out of the room check the baby's temp again in 10 minutes and I will call you back.

10 minutes passes and the fever is the same. 11 minutes comes and she calls back.

Nurse-Dr. K says you need to go straight to TC Thompson's Hospital.
Me- Uhhh, what?? Like the one in Chattanooga?
Nurse- Yes.
Me-For what?
Nurse- Because your baby has a severe fever and there has to be a source and it's very important we identify the issue causing the problem because it's dangerous for newborn babies to run fevers at all, but especially that high.
Me- So Dr. K seriously wants me to take my child all the was to TC Thompson? Is this really that serious.
Nurse-YES! Babies this young should not run fevers at all!
Me- And you are certain Dr. K knows we were JUST in the office yesterday and he sent us home with a common cold? This is so frustrating. I have already been to the ER this week and to your office. I knew my child was sick and he didn't do anything and now we have to go back to the ER.
Nurse-I am very sorry ma'am but he is just looking out for the baby. If you would like you can take her to Sky Ridge. She really needs to be evaluated. There's nothing we can do here, because we close in 15 minutes.
Me-ok. So are you sending me there because you are closing and don't want to stay late to see her or because this really is a serious emergency?
Nurse-Ma'am she needs to be taken in to be evaluated.

Please keep in mind I have had so many problems with my pediatrician's office it's not even funny. They are the absolute worst medical care I have ever dealt with and I know I sounded stupid 2nd guessing a MD but with the problems they have given me in the past I couldn't help myself. So we load up, cancel date night, and make arrangements with my parents.

It's 5 p.m. when we arrive and if you ever want to see Cleveland's finest just go to the local ER where all the finest, toothless rednecks are on display! We waited 3 1/2 hours before we were ever even called back. One lady had been there 5 hours and went to see what the hold up was and the check in counter told her, "We don't have you in the system! Did you even check in?" I thought there was going to be a brawl!

We get back to the room and after waiting longer and longer a NP comes in runs all the tests through blood, urine and a chest x-ray that we had already had this week and finally the results come.

Dr.-We have concluded that the source of the fever is coming from an infection.
Me-Ok. what kind of infection?
Dr.-A pretty nasty UTI.
Me-ok. I didn't even know babies could get those.
Dr.-So, because her fever is so high I have reason to admit her but it's up to you guys. Would you like to go home or stay overnight?
Are you kidding me??!! Are you seriously that stupid? Do you actually think we are going to request to spend the night in this germ infested hospital?
Mario-Well, of course we don't want to spend the night! You are the doctor. You need to tell us if that is necessary.
Dr.-Well, let me call Dr. K and see what he says.

I stand there in total shock that first of all my 11 week old came in for congestion and was just diagnosed with a UTI and then I am just shocked that the doctor would ask us if our child needs to stay overnight. After 7 hours of waiting, a heel stick, needle in the arm, rectal temp check three times, chest x-ray, a round of antibiotics given by shot we were finally released. Oh and I can't forget this part. A nurse enter our room (the nurse we have had the WHOLE ENTIRE NIGHT) hands me papers and says ok, you are all ready to check out! I sign the discharge papers and she begins to leave the room when I notice that the papers she gave me was for a condition Cola didn't have. She then realizes she had entered the wrong room and that my name wasn't Cassondra. I was infuriated. I look at the nurse as she LAUGHS at her careless mistake and say no the patient's name is Cola and you have to give her a round of antibiotics and then we have to wait 20 minutes to make sure she doesn't have an allergic reaction before we leave. Was I seriously telling the RN what to do because she had no clue? Yes, I was. Oh, and I must also tell this part. When the nurse was drawing blood she looks at me and yells, "Pull the syringe out!" I look at her totally confused and say, "Huh? Me? Pull it out all the way?!" The she yells, "Pull it out hurry!" So of course clueless me hurriedly pulls out the syringe and then she frantically yells, "SLOWER, MOM, SLOWER!" I then yell back, "Well, I don't freaking know how to do this!"

I am convinced that the new slogan for Sky Ridge should be "Where quality care can be UNexpected". We had to go back to the pediatrician's office this morning. We learned the fever hasn't gone away, the white cells counts are increasing rapidly and we will have to go back to the pediatric wing of the hospital tomorrow. Cola will have to have more tests to see if the white cells are still increasing and if the fever has gone. Please whisper prayers for her when you think of it.

Last night I played the roles of a phlebotomist, RN, MD, wife, mom and I did none of them calmly. Just call me DR. HOOD.

Another typical day in the life of Megan Hood

I barely slept last night, thanks to the newest cold Cola has contracted. She has been crooping since Saturday and after being blown off by my sucky pediatrician's office for two days I call first thing this morning and demand that if they don't have time they will make time to see my child. Just as I got the baby to sleep, Dalen wakes up. Mario watches over Dalen after the baby is woken up by his loud stomping and I feed the baby, burp the baby and put her back down and then realize it's time for her appointment. I sit at the doctor's office for hours LITERALLY to be told, "It's just a common cold with a lot of congestion. There's no cure but care." I honestly felt as though I was listening to a pre-recorded diagnosis coming straight from a robot. I look at the doctor, shake my head and say, "Right." I put the baby in her carrier, head to lunch with a friend and that would be the only positive thing about my day.

I come home hoping for my much needed nap. I find my two Cabbage Patch dolls that were given to me by my great-grandmother laying on the floor without their name tags. You must understand-these dolls are two of the original Cabbage Patch dolls and their tags are the only way of telling they are authentic and original. Dalen had found them in a moving box and ripped the tags off. Wonderful. Dalen refuses to nap and as I am threatening him I feel something really warm spread across my lap. I look down to find that I have just been peed all over by my newborn. Charming. I change her, wipe her down, redress her, bathe myself, re-dress myself and then convince myself we can nap now. I come into the family room only to find Dalen has now stripped my dolls of every piece of clothing and is still refusing to nap. Dalen frantically confesses he has to poop and I get him to the bathroom just in time for him to start pushing right as I pull his pull-up down. Perfect. Mario literally makes Dalen lay down and then Cola screams for a bottle. I make the bottle, burp her, lay her down and she screams. I pick her up, rock her, pat her, console her and she laughs and kicks. Ideal. Once again my wonderful husband steps in puts her to sleep and the next thing I know, after JUST dozing off-my eyelids are being pecked by Dalen who has already woken up. I totally sin and lie to myself saying, "This is just a dream, keep snoozing and it will end soon." After the pecks intensify, I am not convinced.

So I come to the family room where my two year old decides to kick me for absolutely no reason. I turn on the TV and he pleads with me to stop on Oprah's earth day special because they are showing dolphins. Yeah, it was special alright. Special enough to show some crazy people that I am sure aren't PETA friendly slaughtering dolphins. Unfortunately I didn't realize it until Dalen begins to scream and back away from the television. Hopeful. Oh yeah, I've gotta feeling tonight's gonna be another sleepless one. I have now attempted to put my newborn back down to sleep three times and I have failed. I decided her swing may be the trick since what I am doing isn't good enough. Her eyes become heavy and the swing begins to rock and just as the music starts it runs out of batteries and dies. No, I am not making this up. I am really not making this up. That's ok I'll put new ones in but of course, those are packed away right along with everything else I told myself I wouldn't need but have managed to need in the last few days.

So here I am, reflecting upon today's events and I realize everything that has happened isn't abnormal. Every single day if I am not pooped on I am thrown up on and if I am not thrown up on I am snotted on. I always wait for hours at the doctor and they rarely do anything for my children. I hardly ever have the opportunity to nap and I am never well rested. So why is it that today, a day pretty much like every other day I am absolutely about to lose it. I am not PMSing, I am not sick and my hormones have gone back to normal-I think. I am not so sure why some days you conquer through these things and other days you are found sobbing in the middle of a disastrous mess.

Sorry to end this so abruptly but my two year old is begging me to go somewhere with him. I am not sure where we are going but he has two purses on his shoulder and wants me to go. Pray he takes me on vacation or maybe even to get the rest of that nap!

16 Days

I can't believe there are only 16 days left until our departure to the south of the south. It seems as though it was just yesterday we got the offer. Now, our house is getting packed away in cardboard boxes and you can't take two steps without stepping over something. I have found myself spending every spare minute with my friends and I can't barely think of not having them near.

Dalen came home yesterday with an arm pretty scraped up and he loudly announced, "I broke my arm today...three times! Yep, three times, Mommy!" He began to wave his arms about and shake his head and tell me the whole story which now I can't recall but I do know it ended with him breaking his arm three times. He called my mom and told her the news and she freaked out until I shouted, "Not true, he's lying!" We met friends at the park so he could play with Charis. After a while of playing he starting chucking rocks in the water and happened to pick up one rock which wasn't a rock. Luckily my friend was close enough to scream and dust a ball of dog poop out of his hand! Thank God for my nifty hand sanitizer keychain.

When we got home he told the story of picking up dog poop and of course added his special edition details. He told my dad and Mario he tasted dog poop. Thankfully, that was another lie. Today Dalen was sent to his room to play drums while I tried to feed the baby and put her down for a nap and he must have hit his finger with one of the sticks. We heard him yell, "OUCH! You stick! Stick you off to time out! You hurted my fingers!"

I think we are all ready for the big move and anticipating getting it over with and being settled in our new home. Dalen is excited about living near Free Willy and Mitty Mouse (Mickey Mouse). He even calls my dad and says this is Mickey Mouse Dalen Hood then my dad responds this is Goofy John Vining. Well, I must run. Dalen just barged in and announced he is getting his piano and after he sings he will be married. This should get interesting!

The Two of Me.

I never in a million years thought I would ever reach 200 pounds. I should have seen all the signs coming-no exercise, fast food dinners, uncontrollable cravings-I have always ignored them. When I think back to my childhood I can honestly never remember having control of my stomach. I know that sounds silly but I honestly remember always eating way past the point of being full and finding anything in sight to sop up every last bit of butter residue left on my plate.

The picture of me in the red was about 6 months after our wedding. I was about 135 pounds. The picture of me in the yellow was on Easter and I am weighing in at a whopping 196 pounds. I look horribly unhealthy and overweight. I am totally out of shape and even though I am nauseated about eating crappy food I still do it. I blogged about a year and half ago about having no self-control in the area of eating, I lost close to 30 pounds and was actually eating pretty good and then I lost self-control again and gained all of it back and more. I refuse to blame my weight gain or bad eating habits on my pregnancy. I take full responsibility for lacking self-control. You do not have to gain a lot of weight being pregnant and you do not have to give into unhealthy cravings but I did.

I still look pregnant and still eat like I'm pregnant. I am at my whit's end with being lazy. I could go walking or eat better or not as much but it's that self-control thing. It is seriously a major prayer request in my life. I need to rule my stomach instead of my stomach ruling me. So this week I have started my journey of re-gaining self-control. Honestly, when you get to the foundation of it that is what it is all about. Yes, the cravings are hard to resist and yes, it sucks that I am the unlucky one who doesn't lose weight from running after her toddler or gaining definition in her arms from toting the kiddos, laundry baskets and grocery bags but that's just life.

So. Monday I began. I am starting slow and taking baby steps because I really need a lifestyle change. This week I am working on choosing the healthiest food selections, not eating full meals and calling them "snacks" and cutting back on my portion size. I feel like I am double the person right now. I guess that means I will have extra strength to fight against losing this never ending battle with my stomach.

Cheers, to self-control and the results it may bring!

The Guilty Mom

Today has been an awesome day! I woke up to both babies in wonderful moods and lots of smiles. Dalen has been a terrific big brother today. He was so gentle that he has been allowed to hold the baby several times-with my assistance. I am in a wedding in June and needed to pick up my dress so we headed to Chattanooga only to find that David's Bridal was still closed. They don't open until 11. I figured I shouldn't waste the trip so we headed off to Hamilton Place and Dalen began to play on the playground. It wasn't too long before the train started up and he begged to ride. He rode once by himself and he was just so good! He didn't stand up or misbehave. He sat smiling waving at everyone that passed. He asked to ride again and since he was so good I let him. He was the only child on the train the 2nd time. The driver said, "Ma'am why don't you and the baby come? I won't charge you." I wanted to say, "Have you seen the size of my rear end? It is twice the size of your little cars." I told him it was fine and then Dalen asked me to go. I was certain a loud alarm was going to sound & an announcement would be made saying, "PLEASE EXIT THE TRAIN! YOUR WEIGHT IS PASSED THE LEGAL LIMIT!" But we chugged right along and Dalen asked to hold Cola most of the way.

I remembered I had a gift card from Christmas to Charolette Russe and looked around for a while. Dalen totally demolished their necklace section and started getting really antsy. He ran off from me several times to hide in the racks and I would shout his name and tell him he was going to get lost if he didn't come back. About the 3rd time I said it the power went off!! It couldn't have been longer than 2 seconds when Dalen came coming with his eyes wide. He stomped his foot and said, "MOMMY! You really got me lost!" I laughed so hard because he thought I had cut the lights out. The power went off two more times! Dalen began getting super tired and the baby got hungry. I knew it was my cue to leave.

The food court was slammed and I figured I will stop somewhere else to get hot water and Dalen lunch. So I stopped and then got on the interstate. It wasn't until my exit I realized I TOTALLY forgot to get my dress! UGH! I literally shouted out, "You have got to be freaking kidding me Megan!" Oh well, there's always tomorrow!

Lost & Found

Our house currently looks as though it has been turned into a cardboard factory. We found out Wal-Mart is very generous with their boxes at night when they stock the shelves. If you are willing to go there, at midnight, you can just roam the aisles and take any you want from buggies around the store. The packing adventure has begun.

In 2006, I completed my cross-cultural trip to London. I absolutely loved my trip and took a lot of pictures that I was really proud of. About two weeks after my trip my husband noticed my computer was super slow because of all of the pics I had on it. So, he had the wise idea to put them on CDs. I totally objected to his plan because we aren't the most organized people in the world and I just knew they would get lost and of course they did. They have been lost for years. Literally! I never got them developed because we were newly weds and couldn't afford them and by the time we could the CD was gone. We have looked for it numerous times and we have had no luck.

Monday, I cleared my part of the bookshelf off and glanced into a DVD case that held a sermon series and there it was. I KNEW IT WAS THEM! I raced in the family declaring I had found them. Mario objected saying he had already checked the two CDs before and it was them and I insisted he check again and there they were! Picture after picture of stained glass, cathedrals, castles and my skinny little body in front of Sigmund Freud's former home! I screamed, laughed and jumped up and down! I would have uploaded them to this blog BUT Mario's CD drive isn't working and my laptop is SOOOO slow. They are found! I will share them soon.

That isn't the only thing that's been lost in this house! Mario decided to leave his wedding ring on the kitchen table after I have told him not to because of Dalen and George. Yes, George is a member of our family. I just figured with all of the trouble he causes he might as well be. I took off to Target with Cola and got a call. The conversation went like this...

Mario-Babe? Have you seen my ring??
Me-What ring?
Mario-Uh...my ring! Wedding ring!
Me-Nope-but you better find it.

That was all I had to say. I paid $700 for that thing! I get home and Mario and Dalen were off to the gym playing. When they got home the search began. It began with a conversation between Mario and Dalen.

Mario-Son, where is Daddy's ring. It's ok just tell me.
Dalen-You ring?? Oh, oh. Yeah, it's in here.
(I knew it wasn't going to be that simple.)
Mario-In where?
Dalen-The trash. I threw it away.
(Well, at least he didn't blame George!)
Mario goes through all the trash cans in our house. Each piece of trash at a time. NO ring. In the meantime Dalen poops in his pants and is sat on the potty.
Dalen-It's in here Daddy! I flushed it down the toilet!
(Please, let that be a lie too!)
Mario-Hush, son!
After a very long time of searching Mario's wedding ring was found...in Dalen's Escalade. I text my sister immediately to tell her the good news. Her response-Dalen! He is so gangsta!

I confessed to Mario I thought we would never find it! Then I asked where did you put it. He says-On the ledge in the kitchen. My response-on the ledge that Dalen can reach? The ledge he got our keys off of this morning? The ledge he searches on to find ink pens to write on the walls?

Men! Will they ever, ever learn??

I'm Moooovin' On Up....Down Actually!

What a journey it has been the last few months! I have experienced every given emotion known to man. There has been so much I wanted to blog about but just couldn't at the time. My last day of work was Jan. 15th. The non-profit I was working for began having major funding issues and my position became very unstable. We knew an employment change was going to have to happen...fast! Perfect timing! I had the stress of delivering our 2nd baby and the thought of what we were going to do about our jobs and finances.

To be honest Cleveland hasn't felt like home for a very long time. I have felt for so long we have no purpose here. Yes, my family is here, we attend a great church, Dalen goes to an awesome preschool and I am blessed to have such loyal friends-but I just feel like the plan and purpose for our life isn't here. If you were to ask me why I am here I would have to say because when I was six my parents brought me here, I continued my education here and now it's just safe and comfortable. I have no firm answer for the question.

I am going to sound really immature when I confess that I have always been within 10 minutes from my parents, lived with a family member or in a home owned by my dad, and I have never been away from home for longer than a vacation. Somehow I have known for sometime that it is time. Time to follow the calling God has for my family and to follow it alone.

After months of praying, crying, interviewing, searching and believing we know God has opened the door of opportunity for us. This opportunity is nearly ten hours from Cleveland. I am not good with change but everytime I think I of relocating a strong peace surfaces within me. Orlando, Florida will become home. I have been praying I will be able to sing It Feels Like Home To Me when we get there. Because home for our family is what we have been searching for. Although I am 25 with two kids and a husband I feel like my life is just beginning because I have never truly owned my own life. I feel like I have always done what is convenient and safe.

We found a great townhouse in a gated community and its almost 500 square feet bigger than our house now. Mario is moving on the 30th this month and the rest of us will be leaving after the first week of May. Though the transition is bittersweet I am beginning to taste the sweetness stronger everyday. I am trusting we will succeed and the kids will adjust well. I think this is going to be a transition that brings our little family so close and allows us to grow in so many ways.

May God's will be done in the Hoods!

Boys will be boys

Yes, that is a plastic knife Dalen has in his hand. Hence my title-boys will be boys. He insisted he had to have it during the picture to kill spiders on Cola's carseat. After the picture I insisted he give it to me and then somehow up from our waterless floor were sharks. I told him he had one stab to kill them all and then he better give me the knife.

This picture is not staged. I actually found Dalen sound asleep on top of Mario's head this morning. You can see Mario's arm sticking out from under him. Not long after I snapped this pic I saw Mario's arms begin to move and a muffled sound kept coming from under Dalen. It was so funny. Although I couldn't understand what he was saying I am sure it was not nice.

Last night was a really fun and interesting night. My friend invited me over to her sister's house so that Dalen could play with her kids. The last time we visited this house Dalen asked when her company was leaving. I have tried to explain to him over and over the kids are not company they ALL come from the mom's belly and they ALL live there. He still doesn't comprehend.

When we arrived the man of the house was washing my friends car in the driveway. You can tell how often we wash our cars by Dalen's comment, "What is he wetting that car for?" Later he told us that the people gave their cars baths. The two older boys of the home welcomed Dalen into their game of baseball. At any given moment they would switch activity from tree climbing, bike riding, digging dirt and then eventually back to baseball. I was amazed, it seemed like their mom was calm at all times even when the boys reached the top of a cherry blossom tree or disappeared around the corner for a few moments. I so hope my nerves won't prevent my boy from being a boy.

Dalen had an absolute blast and I was honestly a little lost puppy following the lead of the mom of 4. At every scream or shattering sound I would panic and she wouldn't even budge. What a pro! Finally, I said ok, I guess if you don't panic I won't. Once we headed inside mother of four fed the entire family including me and Dalen and my friend. She never missed a beat. Cleaning, talking and shoveling food into the baby's mouth she gracefully moved about while I soaked up her professional mother skills. She didn't even gag when her daughter asked for cheese on her coco puffs for dinner! (and yes, the little girl actually ate them!)

Us ladies sat and talked and laughed while the boys were just being boys. They occupied their night by pegging each other with bouncy balls, tackling each other to the ground, playing chase or monkey in the middle. Last night I finally realized I need to relax....A LOT! Boys will be boys and its important they are allowed the freedom to climb trees, act like a bottomless pit of energy and expend every ounce of it. Of course, we all want our kids to know limits and have manners but at the same time I have to learn Dalen is still a blank slate learning his boundaries and I really need to allow him the freedom to express his "boydom". That's not a word but it sounded good.

Dalen was so eager to tell my husband every single thing each child did while he was there. After his bath he told me, "Mommy, I love it at that place." I still think he's convinced the hugh home is a camp with random kids and that they all eventually went home to their own house and were tucked in by their own mom.

Un-Interuppted

This Little Miss decided to sleep from 10:30 P.M. until 8 A.M..
And this Little Dude decided he would cooperate and sleep from 9:30 P.M. until 7:50 A.M.
which means that this Mr. and Mrs. had 9 1/2 hours of uninterrupted sleep! We serve a gracious God! And I say that in ALL seriousness.

Now on to some funnies.

Yesterday, Dalen was taken to the McDonald's in town that has an indoor AMAZING playground. We went other moms and their kiddos. He played from 10-12 and then left with Aunt Mary & Livi so we could follow them to another outdoor playground! Wow, did he ever expend some energy!

Of course, as we were leaving he began his typical meltdown. The conversation went a little like this...

Me: Time to go home buddy!

Dalen: Why?!

Me: Because it's just time and DON'T run from me!

Dalen: I don't wanna go home!

Me: I know! But we HAVE to!

Dalen: Why?!

Me: BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE LIVE!!!!

We get in the car and start driving.

Dalen: I don't wanna go home!

Me: Sorry, we have to!

Dalen: WHY?!

Me: Because that's where we live!

Dalen: I wanna live somewhere else, Mom!

Me: Oh really? Like where?

Dalen: The park!

Me: (as sarcastic as I could say it) Oh yeah that would be great Dalen because the park doesn't have water, showers, tv, beds or snacks!

Dalen: Oh! Oh! Mommy, I live at home! Yeah, I live at home!

Yeah that was a classic moment that let him know home wasn't as bad as he thought. I don't think he will be much of the camping type. lol

This morning I got Dalen ready for school and handed him his pull up to put on. He looked at it very closely because there is a special car on the side that goes in the front. He began putting it on and singing, "Car in the front, Car in the front, Lookin' like a fool with a car in the front!" He sang this in the tune of Pants On The Ground. I absolutely lost it.

Last night I was trying to get Dalen to say really hard words like rhinoceros (yeah, spell check totally got me on that one!), hippopotamus (and that one), Massachusetts (and pretty pathetic but on that one too, lol). I must say, he said all of them pretty close to how they were to be pronounced UNTIL I said, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious". He began laughing so hard and I said, "Come on! Try it!" He then says, "Super, super, call me from the ocean!"

If these stories don't have you convinced motherhood is so fun I don't know what will.

The Frailty Of Life

At the very same time we began living, we also began dying. Some of us more gradual than others but the truth of the matter is our lives will one day be defeated by a thing we call death. Life is frail and each day that goes by our life is weakened by death creeping ever so closely. Life is the one thing that is destined to die. Death is inescapable. One day our very existence with perish. One minute we will be here and the next we are gone.

Last night, Relay For Life sponsored a survivor event by bringing in dramatist, Nicole Johnson. I took my Grandmother thinking it would be a time of celebration through laughter. I was wrong. I didn't even think of the fact that she would focus on the struggles of cancer. All of her reviews were high and the promo video I viewed of her was hilarious. I ended up leaving with one thought, "Life is frail." One blood test, one symptom, one lump-it can weaken this thing we call life to the point of the grave.

Not exactly the event I thought we had in store but I enjoyed time with my grandmother anyway. It was strange though. It was as though the inner parts of our souls connected in a agreeable fellowship. We didn't speak of it but we both knew everyday that passes these moments we share will be less and less and one day they will be no more. One day her life, or maybe mine, will be conquered by that unavoidable force, death. When you think of it, really think of the frailty of life, you just want to hold it while it lasts. Caress it ever so tenderly like the finest porcelain, in fear of breaking it.

Isn't it amazing that death or "The BIG D" as Nicole called it, affects us and our families so dramatically? Death is one moment of our life but robs us of every futuristic hope we had for ourselves! The last breath is taken and we are no more and that one breath puts our whole life in perspective and grieves tomorrow. Yes, life is frail. It must be handled with care, wrapped in love and cherished daily.

Reunited

Saturday we reunited with Dalen after our trip to Orlando. We were so glad to see him and I am absolutely convinced he totally loathes change. He has started pooping in his pants again and has been having meltdowns every hour for no reason at all.

After staying with my parents for a few days it is always a different kid coming home. He returns knowing so much more and a little brattier from being so spoiled. This time he came home saying "crusty fart". He has also been saying butt face which was my fault but we have NO clue where crusty fart came from. My parents were offended I would even think it was them who taught him that phrase. Ok...onto the funny part.

After Dalen calling me a crusty fart about three times I text my dad asking, "Did you teach Dalen to say crusty fart?!" He then composes a text that says, "No I didn't teach him crusty fart or butt face!" Big oopsy! He accidentally sent the text to a PASTOR in his phone from Texas...LOL. If you knew my dad this would be oh, so funny to you. Just remember until I was about 12 I thought butt was a cuss word lol. We weren't allowed to say ANYTHING and my mom still scolds me for saying dang. Yeah, it was pretty hilarious for him to tell me what had happened. Oh, be careful little fingers what you text!

My mom's only sister is in town helping my grandmother and finally got to see Cola Leese last night. We grilled out and had an awesome time. Dad was in the kitchen telling Livi that she was his big girl and Dalen was his big boy. He then asked, "Do you two know what that makes Cola?" At the time Cola was screaming her head off which is VERY rare for her. Dalen responds and says, "A BIG whiney hiney!" LOL!

Hood Happenings

Finally! I got a great picture of Little Miss smiling big! She is such a great baby and recently she is all grins and giggles. Her personality is really starting to show!
Saturday night Dalen went to the mall to have his picture made with the Easter bunny. He did awesome and climbed right in his lap & smiled so big his eyeballs disappeared. When I announced we were going to the mall Dalen begged to take George, Chad Madden, Bryan Sanders and a book. Dalen's little imagination is amazing. He carries the Torch around all the time with VOL on the front and talks to Bryan and Chad. I allowed him to take all of the things he requested but told him George had to stay in the car, just in case he began to influence Dalen's behavior.
There he is! Brave boy!
Easter sunday was especially special. Cola was dedicated. Here are a few pics of her in her dress. It had a hat to go with it but I didn't feel the need to torture her with it any longer than necessary and it looked kind of ridiculous if you ask me.
Dalen did very well during the ceremony except for poking on sissy a few times.
And here we all are. Beautiful day! Mom wanted the pics taken in front of the house because they are selling their house and moving into a new one closer into town. I am very excited for them and absolutely love their new house! Mom is very sentimental so after like 17 years of living in this house she has mixed feelings. I guess its important to know the memories go with you.

Sunshine

Well, we traded sunny Cleveland for sunny Orlando and nothing truly compares to a beautiful sunset seeping through the palm trees over water! Yes, this is our second visit to Orlando and for those of you super observant you are probably starting to get a little curious-I will share soon.

While enjoying our time here I realized something-I think accents are situational. After communicating with so many people here their accents began to run together and seep out of my mouth. It was so strange! I think the first hour conversation with a friendly hispanic woman named Brenda just did me in! I realized while paying such close attention to her to make sure I understood her some of my words began to sound a little spanishy-it was really weird! I guess anything is better than my redneck country drawn out words.

We got lost today-Mario's wonderful GPS is faithful to fail us and as I began to look to our right and to our left I realized very quickly this was NOT where we were supposed to be. We passed a pimped out golf cart sittin' on rims though...HILARIOUS! Did I mention it was painted orange??

Tonight I saw The Last Song. This movie is so good but very sad. So sad, that after 25 years of movie watching, I cried. The only other movie I have ever cried in was Annie-yeah that should make you laugh. One specific part I just loved (no I am not giving anything big away) was when the dad said, "Sometimes love is just not big enough!" He was explaining his divorce to his wife to his young son. A lady behind us called out, "Love is ALWAYS enough!" Well, speak the truth sista! It was hilarious! The setting of this movie is so beautiful and I am a sucker for movies that are placed perfectly. I did realize through this movie that Miley's mouth is so annoying. Her teeth are just enough unperfect that you just want to scream. It's like a picture barely off center or tilted to one side just enough to realize it-yeah, annoying! I just wanted to shout, "Tooth! Back in place! Just a little to the right!" But I do think she did a great job in the movie.