I Earned This

I was the oldest child. As the first born, I was the second mom and found myself given a lot of responsibilities. I always figured that I had "earned" my own first born daughter to help out the way that I had. So when I had Davis I was a bit bummed that I didn't get my well-earned prize. Davis is a wonderful kid, and helpful when I ask him to be. He will be a baby sitter, like it or not, someday. But, still I know that it just isn't the same. I have to ask him, sometimes force him to take the responsibilities that are rightfully his.

However, I did get a Christian. Now Christian isn't my first born, ready-to-take-over daughter. He is my second born, ready-to-take-over son. Some days I have to remind him that I am around and would like to be the mom sometimes. I think of Christian as the boy I earned in my childhood. He is so wonderful. He is so helpful, without the asking. His younger brothers go to him for anything and he stops what he is doing and helps them. He loves to play with Noah, and read to Jag. He is usually on the look-out to ease my burdens. He isn't perfect all the time, but then again he isn't even 8 yet. I know that I didn't get a first born daughter, but I got something better, I got a Christian.

Park Wars

A band of about 12 Jedi took over the park this afternoon. Davis declared it one of the best park days ever.

Jag is putting his light saber on his belt loop, not putting his hand down his pants.


The most dangerous Jedi of all.

Honesty

stroking my arm...
Jag: Mom, you have big muscles.

Yes, I know.
{rub, rub, rub}

More Information

For those who don't know, a bit more explanation on Jaggy's leg. When Jag was just over 2 he started limping and dragging his leg. I took him to the doctor several times and they couldn't find anything. The doctor said that he'd be fine, just give it time. Jag is tough. He refused to be held, even at 2. So hobbling around he would do what he wanted and then cry all night long. When we got back to The States, I started in with a new set of doctors. Still nothing. Finally although he didn't see anything, I got a referral to a specialist. It took a few months of persistently nagging to get to the right people, but as soon as we did, they instantly knew what the problem was.

Apparently for some unknown reason the blood supply to his hip was compromised. The doctors don't know why it happens. When this happened, the bone died. So his disease (Legg-Calve Perthes') only lasts for 7-10 years, and then nothing much. We have been going to the specialist every 6 months. Jag was the youngest patient, with this disease, that his doctor had had. BUT because he was so young the prognosis was really favorable. He should have a better recovery, with better results. Right now we don't need to do anything more. He is up a lot in the nights if he has had a long day running around. Long car rides always cause him pain. Sometimes we don't know why he has pain. I just load him up on Motrin, and for now it is enough. If it gets too bad, they have told me that they will cast him (that would be terrible) until we can get his pain under control. As long as his bone regrowth is smooth and in the correct shape we should be able to avoid surgery, but the doctor always throws in the "we can't rule it out yet."

The past 2 years we have been watching his bone disappear. His body has been reabsorbing it. We are just now starting the regrowing process. I hope that it is less painful, but it really isn't the bone that is painful, but rather the hip joint (the pain actually radiates all down his leg and manifests its self in different locations). One doctor said that by the time Jag is in his 30's he may be looking at a hip replacement. That doesn't bother me, Grandpa has had a few of those and look at all he can do. By the time Jag is in need of one, he may get a bionic hip. For now, we just want him to run and play and be normal.

Jag

We just had our last appointment, in Tucson, for Jag's Perthes Disease (Bad Hip). The doctor said that the hip was coming along fine. We will still just wait and see how it continues to rebuild. We still have years ahead of us, but the Doc said that San Antonio has great pediatric orthopedic centers. Look at the Right side (his Left side).

What?

I think I have figured out one of the problems with the economy. People are dumb. We just can't get past the feelings of entitlement or the need to spend every penny we have in our pocket. I have a neighbor on each side of me that is the perfect example of what not to do.

Neighbor 1: Young, newly married, big, newer truck, fancy new mustang, 3rd car, 4 wheelers, dogs, 2 jobs... home foreclosure.

Neighbor 2: 2 stable jobs, couldn't close a loan on their home due to bad credit and unresolved debts. Extra money?... brand new, his and her vehicles.

Should we bailout the stupid?

Birthday Fun

It is hard to make your fingers "do" 2.

The boys played in Noah's new house all day.

Noah loves balls.
(Basketball, baseball, beach ball in case you can't figure it out.)

Noah

My baby turned 2! I don't know where the time went to . How I love him!
02-22-07
6 lb. 4 oz.

A few things about who Noah is now:

1. Loves to play with his brothers
2. Wakes up early and wants to read books.
3. Has been tattling on his brothers for quite some time :)
4. Loves to wear flip-flops.
5. Hates most foods, especially meat.
6. Could live off of cheese and fruit snacks only.
7. Thinks that he is funny.
8. Needs Davis to watch out for him. He needs Christian to give him anything he wants. He needs Jag to play with him.
9. Whenever the doorbell rings he runs and says, "Daddy Home."
10. Loves bugs. He and Jag will catch grasshoppers and carry them around until the poor bug commits suicide.
11. Always wants to go outside.
12. Throws a tantrum at the drop of a hat!
13. Climbs onto anything. Opens most things. Gets into trouble.
14. Runs. Everywhere.
15. Dances better than his brothers. He loves to dance.
16. Melts my heart when he says, "Will you play with me?"
17. Loves to read books.
18. Doesn't wait to finish a book before moving on to the next one.
19. Rarely likes to be alone.
20. Most of the time if you ask for a hug or a kiss, the answer is "No."

Delicious

Oh, how delicious. How tasty and smooth. How wise the people who made it...

Safe and Non-Toxic!

Noah just couldn't help himself. He took an enormous swig. Fortunately he spit it all over his new clothes. Yuck, yuck. Is all he can say each time he walks past the glue bottle.

Welcome To Our Table

I would like to invite anyone brave enough, to join us for a meal. The food will be warm, the company...accepting, the conversation interesting. Here is a glance at tonight's dinner conversation:
Was Count Dooku a sith?

Of course, wasn't he Yoda's padawan?

(Then followed the geneology of all the Jedi masters and their padawans)

What about Bilbo Baggins? Do you think he is going to be involved in a war?

Mom, how could you read only Hobbit, knowing that it is a series?

I don't want to see the movie Ink Heart, it will ruin the picture in my head.

Look, I have a pancake beard.

Pancakes don't go on faces. Eat with a fork. (I had to say something)

What if the guy on Polar Express with the red beard, had a beard made out of pancakes?

Mom, He farted without going to the fart corner.

I just want to sit on the stairs.

No, Jag.

Then with a toss of the fork onto the floor, dinner is over. Come on over to our house, dinner and conversation included. We won't be leaving home anytime soon. We have some work to do on manners.

10 Best Things

In an effort to look on the sunny side of Darin being gone for 6 weeks I've come up with a list of the 10 best things about being a single mom.

1. I will not need to waste my time by getting dressed in the mornings. If I am not going to be leaving the house, then staying in my pajamas will be fine.

2. Cold cereal can become our new favorite dinner.

3. If I run out of time for a shower for 3 days in a row, the boys won't even notice.

4. Less laundry to do.

5. Early bedtimes for all. We see each other all day long, we should have time to ourselves.

6. We can try out all of the frozen pizzas at the store. I will be teaching the kids college survival skills at the same time.

7. The bed will be easier to make.

8. I choose what we do when we do it.

9. I can watch all of the "stupid" television shows that I want without having to be embarrassed that "I actually watch that stuff."

10. I can make brownies and eat the entire pan without anyone knowing a thing about it.

Flexible

Military life is about flexibility. Unfortunately I can't even touch my toes. Darin was scheduled for a TDY (training in Alabama). Then, he was put on a waiting list without the possibility of ever getting off. I thought a bit about it, but we moved on to plan B, TDY in the Spring/Summer and all that would entail. Boss said, "no way" to a February TDY possibility. That was last week. Friday afternoon, they said, "change of plans" you are off in less than a week. I can't touch my toes, I am not that flexible. I guess that I now have 6 weeks of "me time" to work on touching my toes. Got to love the military and their determination to force me into being flexible. When I grow up, I am going to have a say in my life, right now I'm just along for the ride.

Be Mine

The boys made lots of Valentines and filled them with candy hearts that they bought themselves. Noah wasn't as nice, no money I guess. So he chose to give me a knuckle sandwich! That's right a punch to the eye. I laughed so hard I cried, but then he got a Valentine timeout!

My little Valentines wrestling on the grass in Phoenix.

We were visiting Brad and Kyra during Kyra's soccer tournament. We were happy to have family so close. Sweet Kyra

He LOVES Me!

He thinks I have too many shoes. He thinks that I don't wear the shoes I that I have. He thinks that my black shoes all look similar. He bought me a Valentine. He LOVES me!

Help Needed For Little Piggies

Help! I am at the end of my rope with my 3 little piggies! They seem to think that every noise that comes from their bodies is hysterical! I have tried and tried to stop the bad behaviors, but nothing is changing the behavior. Maybe if it wasn't so stinking funny! Now I'm being funny.
Thankfully they save their pig-like behaviors for me. I do quiz them after scouts, preschool, and church (when they walk in the door and just "let loose") to see if they have shared that side of themselves with their peers. Always a shocked "no" comes from the piggy. So how do I keep my sanity? How do I fix this? I am asking for great ideas. Please comment if you have any ideas. I fixed my comment area and you can just leave your name if you'd like.

The Lost Treasure

My mom sent the boys a Valentine package and included for me...my long, lost 3rd Grade Journal!
I laughed my self silly. Davis and Darin also thought it was a fantastic read. A few of my favorite entries are:

December 4
Dear, Me
I love me you are my best me I am glad I am ME you know me. I love me. (I had a strong sense of self)

January 16
When I grow up I want to be a farmer. (Still haven't achieved that goal)

January 23
I heard noises. (What?)

No Date
and so is Tracy I like her too. Tammy is my best friend and I like her even if she hates me. I like you. From Jessica (Poor me)

All in my best cursive...
Would you pleses keep Jessica in for reses Thanks Jule Davis
* I had to stay in all week (I wonder if the teacher caught on to the misspellings, including my mom's name?)

I should keep a journal again, but then again I may be too busy trying to farm in the desert.

Snow Days?!

Believe it or not but, there was a winter storm warning here in Tucson last night. It had been raining and was expected to get very cold over night, maybe even below freezing. The news reported that you should avoid driving over any over pass or bridge (not just be cautious, AVOID) and remember do not drive too fast. They mentioned all the possibilities for school cancellations (if there is ice on the road...no school). Darin even got a phone call at 11:30 p.m. notifying him that DMAFB was going to have a late start time of 9 a.m. due to bad weather. We woke up and it was definately chilly (for us). Snow? No. Ice? Maybe. Winter storm? Not even close.
Some schools did close. And in a neighboring county it snowed...they even showed pictures on the news. I think it was barely a dusting! In fact, you could still see the roof of the house they were showing all the snow on. I haven't lived with snow for years. I don't miss it a bit. I think that this is my kind of "snow day!" FYI-the high on our snow day was around 60...cold.

MIA or Glasses?

Noah pointed at a nice 65 year old, Mexican man wearing a BDU blouse (yes, that is what they call them) as a jacket...He pointed and said, "Daddy Home!" Does Noah need glasses or has Darin just been gone a bit lately?

Sedona Strangeness

In the 80's somebody discovered what they call the 4 vortex's. So now Sedona is a New Age pilgrimage location.
"According to believers, a vortex is a site where the earth's unseen lines of power intersect to form a particularly powerful energy field. These vortex's contain either masculine, feminine or electric energy." Thank you Frommer's.
Devil's Bridge was near a vortex that was both masculine and feminine...I tried to feel something, I was hoping it was going to be good, but nothing. Disappointing...should have grabbed my crystals.
As a result of the above mentioned strangeness, Sedona also has a bunch of strange shops. Here are some of the more interesting sites in Sedona.

Alien's Anyone?
Maybe they have something to do with the vortex theory.
Vortex Tours? Almost sounds X-rated.
(Trust me, you can't see it, but they are offering tours.)
Did the Alien's bring this thing? It was in front of a crystal's store.
Aura Photo anyone?

Sedona

Sedona, AZ is a place we have wanted to visit before we move. They just happened to have a race going on this weekend, so we made a mini-vacation out of it.
We left on Friday morning and we were able to enjoy a good part of Friday and most of Saturday.
We seemed to meet the Devil while we were hiking. Friday, we went to the Devil's Kitchen (really reminded me of "Hell" in Turkey's Heaven and Hell). Then Saturday we went to the Devil's Bridge, a natural arch. The boys, however, were angels! Except for Noah who would spontaneously drop to all fours and crawl in the dirt while saying, "I a cheetah, I a cheetah...Growl, growl."
We all loved the exploring and climbing. Hiking is one of the boys' favorite things to do. The weather, although colder than Tucson, was fairly pleasant for February. We even got to take the Durango on a wild ride down a dirt road. The boys thought that Darin was sooo cool!

A cheetah

7 Pools

After the 1/2 marathon...Good Job Darin.


The boys standing on Devil's Bridge (you have to look carefully to find the arch in the scenery).

Coming Home From Vacation Really Stinks!

We have been gone for 2 days to Sedona, AZ. Darin ran the 1/2 Marathon on Saturday morning. We spent Friday and Saturday exploring the red rocks. When we got home, "someone" had forgotten to take out the trash before we left. Broccoli, cooked broccoli...need I say more?

A Rite of Passage

The first day of seventh grade gym class, the first attempt at driving, tryouts...all rites of passage. They are painful to go through, but even harder to watch your child go through them. Davis had his first little league tryouts tonight. We practiced all week long. Endless hours. I have the sore shoulder to show for it. He looked the part. He was excited. He was nervous. There were a lot of little boys there, some definitely better than others. Davis has been a soccer player for a few years, but started following the MLB last year and decided that it was going to be his sport. After a worthy effort at tryouts, he got in the car and said, "I don't think that baseball is going to be my sport." He doesn't even have a team yet (thus the tryout part), let alone a practice under his belt. He hates not being the best. But given a little time and a lot of throwing at the park with mom, he'll be just fine. Poor kid, how do I explain that the worst rites are still to come?

The nervous look apparent on his face.

A Tail Of A Tale

Jaguar is what you can call me for short. OK, but that is actually longer than your 3 letter name, but that is what Jag tells me. A secret at our house is that, Jag has a tail. For the last year or so he decided that he needed a tail. So he has me tie a piece of string (the longer the better) onto the back of his pants. What happens when he is in his PJs? Right, stuff it down the undies to hold it. He wears it everywhere or at least he used to. Christian told him that people would laugh if a boy wore a tail in public, so now he is selective about where the tail goes. To the park... yes, if it is a short one. To the store...no, quickly stuff it in the pocket. Today, he got fancy with his tail and added beads. He loves to swing his tail and give his Jaguar growl. He is a funny boy, with a tail.

A close up of the beaded tail.

Only February...

I came across my 'New Year's Resolutions' yesterday. It wasn't good to realize that it was only February, and I have already tossed out half of the goals I'd set for myself. My resolutions weren't too far out there, I thought attainable. BUT, no where in my resolutions is there wiggle room for eating pink frosting from a spoon for lunch (I ate the cookies for breakfast). It is only February, I guess that there is plenty of time to change my resolutions and enjoy the rest of my year.

No PDA Allowed!

While sitting on the couch with Darin, holding hands, slightly snuggling, we were caught by the PDA police. Noah, tried to pry Darin's hand from mine and then loudly stood in front of us and yelled, "GO" while pointing to the stairs (Time Out). To make himself perfectly clear, he repeated himself with a "Go. Stairs." I hope that Noah remembers this lesson when he is of dating age.
(PDA-Public Displays of Affection)

Friends again

Cute Is NOT For Boys!

This is pretty much the exact "lecture" that I was given by my sweet first born.
Davis informed me that I was using the word cute at all the wrong times. Cute is not for describing little, blue convertibles on the side of the road. Cute is not for describing derby cars. Cute is for flowers and butterflies. I should be using the words "awesome" or "cool" more often. Lesson learned!

Pinewood Derby

Davis had his Pinewood Derby on Saturday. His car took 5th place this year. He had a cute car/skateboard. Thank you to Grandpa for cutting out his car again this year.

Davis and his skateboard (He refused to smile).

Action shot, racing, winning!