Talk To Us Tuesday: My Stinker

my sweet friends ~ Shawny & IA-y ~ have started this new linky party.  We are supposed to just "talk".... tell a funny story, what's going on in your life, what nots.....and knowing all my galpals out there, they will have some very funny stories to tell.

But me?

Yah. I don't know.  I have been brainstorming for days what to "talk" to y'all about.

Should I admit that I am juggling 16 balls in the air right now and my priorities are so screwed up that I dropped one yesterday?  I forgot Sis's Ortho appointment, and she (THE 10 YEAR OLD) reminded me.  Damn PTA.  Damn blogs.  Damn grocery store. and cleaning house.  and laundry.

boring.....

How about the fact that Bubba has turned into a MAJOR STINKER.  He was my sweet boy, who sat quietly in his stroller, happy with watching the world go by.  But something happened a few weeks ago and now he arches his back and pitches a fit!

I used to be able to got to lunch with girlfriends with him...not anymore.  He throws plates and knives and food. nice.

I used to be able to run a few errands with him...nope.  He has different ideas than sitting in the shopping cart and letting me get done.

I used to be able to take him up to school and get a few things done for PTA...nada. He wants to run into the kids' classrooms. ugh!

He is now the kid that everyone silently tells themselves, "oh, thank God mine wasn't like that."

Case in Point:

Last week, while waiting in line at our local Post Office (sidebar- I HATE our Post Office - the Postmasters are mean & grumpy - think Soup Nazi) Bubba took off.  So I kindly asked the gentleman in front of me if I can go chase after him, would he hold my place in line.  I am running all over the damn Post Office chasing a giggly boy (who thinks it's hysterical).  But then it's my turn.  As I'm at the counter, working as fast as I can to get my stuff mailed, I turn back to see my boy swinging from the counter, kicking his shoes off and charming the fool out of the other people in line.  Even the Postmaster smiled a tiny smile.

Me?  I was horrified - bare feet at the Post Office??!!!  I was never supposed to "be that mom".  My little backwoods Bubba with dirty feet had a blast.  Me?  Not so much.

At church on Sunday, he wanted to and play in the big water feature - heck, with the drought we have, I don't blame him.  When I wouldn't let him, he threw himself on the floor kicking & screaming.  At church.  God granted me strength then...but how long will it last????

And yesterday, at the forgotten ortho appt (we showed up late), he wanted out of his stroller, so he threw a fit. He wanted to go back with his sister, so he threw a fit.  He wanted a snack, but not the one I brought him, so he threw a fit..... see the pattern I am dealing with?  Ironically, Dr. Phil was talking about children who thrown tantrums in public on the tv in the waiting room...but I didn't get to listen b/c I was dealing with my own kid's tantrums.  ARGH!

We sat in the car during the bulk of that appointment.

He is most definitely strong-willed.  He wants what he wants and will pitch a fit until he gets it.  I'm trying to set limits and establish boundaries, but it's so hard when all I really want to do is give in.

I think Brody acted this way.....I bought James Dobson's The Strong Willed Child when he was younger, but I seem to have erased that part of my memory.  Guess it's time to pull that one out again.

So, that's what's in my head at this current moment.

Hear me out - I love my baby boy - love love love him.  I will be challenged while raising him.  We will battle - and I hope this is a SHORT phase and I get my sweet boy back.

Whew - that was like a 3 cup of coffee conversation.  But I did all the talking - any advice for me?????

Friday Day Dreamin': RAIN PLEASE COME OUR WAY!

Yay!  It's Friday!!   It has been a long and sad week, so we are ready for the weekend!!   I'm ready to enjoy my Friday morning with a little blog hopping .....Friday Daydreamin, here we come!

This Friday, I'm dreamin' about rain.

We haven't seen it in so long here in Texas, that this summer, while experiencing a complete downpour in Illinois, we acted a little crazy.

Ah, what I wouldn't give to go act a little crazy in the rain right now......

Join up for Friday Daydreamin' and tell us about your favorite vacation picture.  Help make this meme a success!!!

Texas Wildfires

This past weekend, Central Texas took a tremendous blow. Fueled by incredibly high winds, our drought-stricken land was eaten up by fast-moving wildfires.  More than 36,000 acres in my area have burned.  Over 1000 homes have been lost.  Almost 5000 homes were evacuated with many families still not allowed  home.

the view from Austin on Sunday, September 4, 2011 (photo rights - deannaroy.com)

Many of you know that I live in Central Texas.  I have received numerous texts and messages from you all regarding if I was effected by the devastating wildfires that have engulfed so many homes here over the past few days.  Thank you so much for reaching out - you all are so incredibly sweet.

We were thankfully not effected physically.  We live about 30 minutes from one of the most hardest hit areas, Bastrop.  But on Sunday, the fires were a little too close for comfort, with one less than 20 miles from us.

Many families were given 5 minutes to evacuate their homes, that's how fast the fires spread.  Entire neighborhoods have been wiped out.  Entire neighborhoods. As the week goes on, we are slowly learning about families that have lost everything.  My heart hurts for these families.  I just can't imagine what they must be going through.  I know that it is possessions that are lost and many possessions are replaceable.  But it's the devastation of losing everything that makes is so impossible to deal with.

And what would you grab if you were given 5 minutes to leave?  Clothing, sentimental possessions, pets? It's a conversation that many of my friends and I have had over the past few days.  It's a conversation that I've had with my kids.

This city has rallied together with amazing love for the victims of the fires.  There are so many agencies, churches and individuals coming together to help our neighbors.  Just today, While at a PTA luncheon, we discussed the possibility of having a Backpack & Binder drive to give all the children some sense of normalcy back.  Normalcy.  That's all these families want and they won't get that for months.

I have been effected by this emotionally - it's just so close to home.  So I am asking that you pray with me for these families.  Pray that they are able to rebuild with speed - not only their homes but their lives.

Pray for those still fighting the fires - As of today, only 30% of the Bastrop fire has been contained.

Pray for rain - we have had so little here over the past year and we are desperate for it.

Thank you.

pictures - dailymail.co.uk

Two on Tuesday: Is Fall Almost Here?

Happy Tuesday!  I am linking up quickly this morning with Andrea over at My Chihuahua Bites (thank you Andrea for teaching me how to spell Chihuahua without looking!) for Two On Tuesday.  I needed a little something to talk about today, so why not?

Andrea wants to know : What are your 2 favorite things about Fall?


Cooler Temperatures.

Ah, who am I kidding?  I live in Texas - the high was in the hundreds this weekend and we won't get down into the 70s until November probably......

I can dream about cooler temperatures and the beautiful change of the colors of the leaves that other areas of the country get to enjoy.

So, what about here in Texas?  We like to pretend it's Fall by decorating in fall colors, dressing in jeans (even though it's still 90 degrees) and sipping on Pumpkin Spice Lattes.  Which brings me to my first favorite thing about Fall:

Pumpkin Spice.  In a Starbucks latte, in my Keurig Coffee Maker, in a pie..... I just love the smell and taste of pumpkin spice.  That is Fall to me.  Speaking of, I'm enjoying a cup of Pumpkin Spice Coffee right now.  Never too early to start.....

And Soccer starts.  I love watching my kids play soccer.  They take a brief break during the summer and start back up in August.  Fall means the start of games and there is nothing I enjoy more than watching my kiddos play.  This year they are in a Soccer Club and it will be exciting to see the competition raised a notch, travel for the games, and see their dedication get heightened.  They love playing and I love watching them.

Fun!!  Link up and tell us your 2 favorite things about fall.  Thanks for hosting Andrea!

I Sent My Baby to School

Last week, I sent my baby to school.

Well, not really.

It's a 2 day a week Mother's Day Out.

That he likes to call "sk-ool".

So we go with it.

Remember how excited I was to send the other 2 off to school?  How I was questioning my motherly instincts when I was cheering that school had started?  Well,  I'm here to admit that I had a hard time with the baby.

It was hard to drop the baby off and leave him - I walked away with a HUGE lump in my throat.  And hearing him crying for "ma-MA!!" didn't help.  I got in the car and thought to myself, "now what do I do? "

So I ran to Academy, calling Matt and asking him if he needed me to get him anything? No?

hmm.... I guess I can go to the bank.

and then I'll run by Starbucks.  Just because I CAN.

Guess I'll head to the kids school and..... (you get the picture).

While I got a lot done, I felt like I was missing something all day.  As much as I complain that running errands with the baby is hard to do and takes me twice as long, I was lonely without my guy with me.

I showed up 20 minutes early to pick him up - that is HUGE - ask any of my friends - I'm L.A.T.E. to everything.  Of course they wouldn't let us pick up our kids until the bell officially rings.  He was excited to see me - ran right into my arms.

All is well - he had a super time - colored a picture.  ate a big lunch.  played on the playground. DID NOT take a nap (well, come on - he's still in a crib and now you want him to lay on a mat and sleep - that's freedom to him).

So why was it so easy to let the older two go but so very hard to leave him?  I guess I understand it now - he's my baby and it's hard to let him grow up - I know that this is only going to get worse when he starts kindergarten, so this is a great reminder to make the most of the time I have with him one-on-one.  And I will.......

Friday Daydreamin': Riding the Bull

Yay!  It's Friday and it's a 3 Day weekend!!!  Double YAY!!  So, I'm ready to enjoy my Friday morning with a little blog hopping .....Friday Daydreamin, here we come!

4 summers ago, Matt & I were blessed to go on a trip with a group of friends....from work......but that doesn't matter, they were all great friends.  We went for a few days to Jackson Hole, WY in August.  It was the perfect place to escape Texas heat.  We hiked, saw wildlife, ate amazing food, laughed until our sides hurt, and took this little adventure.  

Whitewater rafting.  AHHHH!  So excited.  It was a blast and these were pretty tame rapids.  We all squeezed our big bodies into these tiny wet suits and braved the freezing cold water.  Brandon was brave enough to sit at the front, called "riding the bull" for this set of rapids.  What happened next is what kept us in stitches all weekend.

One of our friends (who will remain nameless.....Karen..) actually fell out right after this picture was taken. 

And the great thing?  The photographer caught it all........

Check out her hubby's look of concern......he was worried about the hat being lost - forget poor Karen who was underneath the boat in freezing cold water......"where's my Cowboys hat?????"

Such a fun trip!  Would go back with all these awesome folks in a heartbeat!

Join up for Friday Daydreamin' and tell us about your favorite vacation picture.  Help make this meme a success!!!

My Memories Giveaway!!

Hi friends.

Just a little note to let you all know that I am giving away a My Memories Digital Scrap Booking Software Package at R We There Yet Mom? today.

I have seen a few friends giving this away out in bloggyville, and didn't really take notice - I think I figured I wouldn't use it.

But when I was offered the chance to have my own copy & try it out, I was really impressed.  It is way too easy to make a scrapbook with it!!!

So I am begging encouraging you to skip on over to R We There Yet Mom? and put a few comments in to win it - it is really a sweet program to win!!

Thank You!

begging encouraging continues........


R We There Yet Mom? also hosts an awesome meme on Fridays called "Friday Daydreamin'".  It's a fun way to show us your favorite vacation pictures and daydream your Friday away.  Definitely one of the easiest posts you'll do all week!!  So get your posts ready to link up tomorrow.

Ok, done "encouraging".

Thanks for the support y'all!