MBG's "...Short story long..."

We Blog Together...

2011-10-25T14:22:00.002-05:00

After sending much (way too much) time reading over my past blog posts, reflecting on how many details I have forgotten, remembering, smiling, listening to little videos of the boys little tiny voices. I must. return. to. blogging.

I must get over the fact that I don't have to "go back and re-cap" and just start from now... so that is what I will do. Well, with a good bit of re-cap I am sure.

I have been promoted to Independent Director with Thirty-one Gifts, and my team currently consists of 26 women! I am working toward earning a trip for two to Cancun next October, and am enjoying being able to stay home full-time again with my boys. Jeff's job is the same, and Jack's in 2nd grade, and Davis is 3.2 years old.

Okay, so...

Today, Davis and I went to CVS to print pictures for a poster because "Oh Mom I forgot I have a poster due yesterday!" It's an "About Me" poster on Jack because he's Student of the Week! I am quite sure it's just his turn aphabetically, but any excuse to recognize him for his overall awesomeness is good enough for me.

So, they had to list their faves and he lists his favorite song as "Dinomite," you know, your traditional Baptist kids' favorite, "We gon' rock this club, we gon' go all night, we' gon' light it up, like it's Dinomite!" Um, yes, we are so proud. He also said his favorite movie is Flipper. Random.

We got their matching Ninja costumes ready and tonight is pumpkin carving night... more to come on the Halloween front. Jack's still debating on whether he's too old (cool) to wear his Ninja costume into Daddy's work... which has been a tradition... so we'll see how that pans out.

We're also gearing up for some Fall Family photos this weekend taken by some good friends of ours and I can't wait to see how they turn out. I plan to lose six pounds per day until then.

Potty-training, broken bones, and Valentines.

2011-10-25T14:21:00.002-05:00

Holy cow... I just came across this unposted blog entry from SEVEN months ago (3/16/11)... no time like the present to post it, I guess... MBG

=========================

Lots to update, but again I find myself clicking away late at night when I should be in bed, so finding time to blog again alludes me. So, random musings to follow:

Davis pee-peed on the potty three times today, which is great because despite my best efforts, it's become a stand-off lately. "Let's put on your BIG BOY Undies!" followed by, "NO! I want Elmo diaper!" quickly followed by, "Okay, Momma ain't gonna fight ya..."

If I could just dedicate some time to it, I am sure he'd be a quick study, but I'm still waiting to catch my breath most of the time. Jack's continuing to love First Grade, and his teacher challenges him and appreciates him, which is all I could ever hope for for my special boy. He's going on his first GT Field Trip where they'll be looking at different structures downtown to go along with his Architecture unit. I'd go with them, but it's too dang hot.

The assignment reminded me of a big Architecture paper we had to do in High School on which I totally cheated and got caught and created a huge scandal within the MacArthur GT English program. It was totally embarrassing for me AND my parents, but was good for some laughs at the 10-year reunion.... "Hey Melissa, remember how you got caught in that GT English scandal, and the next year the whole school had to sign the now-famous MacArthur High School Code of Honor?" Yes, yes I do, thank you very much. I also remember saying, "They should call it the Lynch Code of Honor, in MY honor!" Yep, fun (mature) times.

Anyway, Davis is talking so much more and saying such funny things. He's SO different from Jack Everett at this age, but his little personality is starting to come through more every day. He has never met a stranger and says hello to EVERYONE at stores, walking along the street, etc. I asked him today, "Davis, do you know what Jack's MIDDLE name is?" He said, "Brudder." Awwww... He can also make some mean sound effects for his age... spaceships, explosions, "shooters." (a.k.a. guns), he can do 'em all.

We enjoyed a Valentine's Day photo shoot with them at a friend's house and captured these cute shots. Davis got his "boot" off - yes, he broke his foot jumping off a bookshelf and the cast was on for six weeks - a few days after these pics were taken, and he will tell anyone he meets, "Docker taked my boot off!"

So, here they are, my sweet boys. We have a feeling this will be some of the last pics with Jack's small front teeth. The bigun's are making their way in, pushing out some of the smaller ones to make room.

Jack Everett, 6.5 and Davis Jarrell, 2.5

Strangers in the night...

2011-03-04T00:07:00.003-06:00

I am really trying to figure out how I can reincorporate blogging into my life. The problem is, I am already spending entirely too much time at this laptop as it is. However, I cherish the record I have of Jack's younger days, and now Davers is saying and doing such hilarious things too... that I will surely forget if not recorded.

The "Thirty-one" business is booming and keeping me busy for sure. Mostly busy with new friendships, if I'm being honest. The part-time job at the church keeps me busy too, mostly phone calls.

Davis is not interested in sharing my attention with a computer or a cell phone, so the time I do have is pretty precious. I may have to take another Facebook hiatus in order to return to the blogosphere.

I will also have to get over the idea that I will "take an entire day to post everything that has happened and get all caught up" before I can start posting again. This here post was really an intentional act of rejecting that unreasonable expectation and breaking the ice with my readership. ha.

So, I am not sure anyone cares any more, but I do. And I have to believe that in the future... Davis will. He already LOVES to watch videos of Jack when he was younger... almost as much as Jack likes to watch videos of Jack when he was younger. You should see them laughing at old footage.

You know, I ought to video THAT!

Here they are... Jack and Davers, at 6.5 yrs and 2.5 yrs, holding Baby Reagan ("Baby Waygin", 3 mos.) at Christmas...

More to come... hopefully sooner than later.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

2010-12-22T00:28:00.018-06:00

I finally did it! I threw the birthday party for Jesus that I've always wanted to throw. It was simple and adorable. The kids loved having their friends over and their Mommy did too. I got pictures and videos. And quickly threw them into a post on Facebook.

I gotta get away from Facebook and back to this blog. To me, Facebook is like renting and this blog is like home ownership. Renting is faster and easier and less stress in the short run, but in the end, you don't have anything to show for it. I go back and re-read blog entries ALL THE TIME, and enjoy seeing how things were way back when and look at pictures and say, "Oh my gosh, I had totally forgotten about that!" So, I will figure out how to keep it in my life before Davis' memories go undocumented. Not to mention, I am sure he is going to say some CRAZY FUNNY stuff! Heck, he already does!

Okay, so here are a couple of pics from this morning...

Party guests from left to right = Toby (3), Alli Jean (5), Jack (6), TJ (4), Davis (2), Devin (6), and Evan (3). They were SO good and participated in the reading of the Christmas story and Nativity Scene Reenactment.

Between tracking down and delivering Thirty-one orders, finishing up last minute Santa wrapping/hiding/rearranging, and Christmas crafts, we're keeping very busy.

I have a feeling that my next post will be about potty-training Davis. You know how when you ask kids a question in Sunday School, they don't even think before immediately answering, "Jesus!!" because most of the time that's the right answer? Well, that's how Davis is. I ask him, "Tell Daddy what we did today!" His immediate response? "I pee-pee'd in the potty!" To which Jeff exclaims, "Wow, you did!??? Oh my, what a big boy to..." until I call from the kitchen, "... No he didn't!!"

So, he's ready. He gets that it's a big deal, he's pooped and peed on the potty and has even come to get me to tell me ... at home and in public. And he loves to watch the Elmo Potty Time video. You know, the one where kids call out the term THEY use for going #2?! Yes. The kid yells into the camera, "I call it DOOKIE!" and just when you furl your brow because THAT's something you wish they would have left out... another yells, "I call it CACA!" I am not kidding. Jack watched that video several times and never muttered either word, but of course Davers yells "DOOKIE!" over and over after that scene. *sigh*

So, today, I think I decided Santa is going to bring him BRAND NEW (handed down from Evan) "big boy underwear!" ... and Mamaw and Pops are bringing a different Elmo video, thank you very much.

Not sure how this post started with "Happy Birthday, Jesus" and ended with me talking about CACA, but that's about how my days go lately...

We thought this was a funny outtake as Davers' arms make it look like Jack's wearing a full-body striped getup and is riding on Davis' shoulders! And their faces are just weird-funny.

Merry Christmas everyone, from our family to yours.

Jack Everett (6 yrs) and Davis Jarrell (2 yrs)

We'll catch up after the New Year! Can't wait to upload pics of a few big gift items the boys are getting this year. Better not write about them just yet, now that Sherlock Everett Holmes can read.

Deck the Halls!

2010-12-06T00:17:00.005-06:00

It's time to decorate for Christmas (well, a bit past time) and I remind myself that it is worth the trouble. Worth the time. The kids will celebrate what we celebrate and by oversimplifying Christmas we might be sending them the message that it is NOT as big a deal as it is. SO the goal tomorrow is to clean the living room enough to pull out the tree and start decorating when Daddy gets home from work.

Then Tuesday, I am headed to Bjorn's to do a public service. I am helping the husbands and boyfriends find something special for their wives from Thirty-one. With guaranteed Christmas delivery and $5 giftwrapping, there will be no excuses. This is an effort to complete my goal of 12 parties in my first 90 days and I'm almost there! My first check was awesome - almost enough to cover the mortgage payment! Sweet!

I am also taking a part-time position at the church as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Children's Ministry. This will start after the New Year and will include 20 hours of work, and will provide Davis 2 days in the Kids Day Out program from 9am to 2pm. Looking forward to that, but enjoying the days leading to Christmas, happy (beyond happy) to be home with my boys.

I am missing the blog, but enjoying the time away from the computer. I read back over my blog so often, though, and am so thankful that I captured the memories included here. I go back and forth with the motivation for blogging, and struggle every once in a while with finding a balance with it all... but want to find my way back here. After Christmas perhaps?

Let's concentrate on getting the tree up first...

Once a Recruiter...

2010-11-16T22:34:00.009-06:00

I have been at it for about 7 weeks, and have already doubled the size of my team at Thirty-one! That's right, there are now two of us. Melanie, a friend and fellow Mommy-blogger has become a consultant and I have thoroughly enjoyed showing her the ropes. I can tell that growing new consultants is going to be one of my favorite aspects of this job.

Even though I haven't been at it long, it's fun to share ideas and to save her from some of the learning experiences I've faced. We're going to attend the Thirty-One Director meeting on Thursday (held once per month) and over 65 consultants have already RSVP'd for the meeting. I am excited. I can't wait to get my first real paycheck at the end of the month. What to spend it on... hmmm... I'm sure Jeff can help me come up with something.

We're preparing for my cousin Coby's wedding on Saturday in Houston, and Jack the Ring Bearer is quite the pro at this point. This will be his first time to walk the aisle with a GIRL so I am anxious to see how that goes. While trying on his vest and bowtie at Men's Wearhouse yesterday, he got all serious and said, "Mom, this is the LAST time I am going to be a Ring Bearer, okay?" He explained in the car that "he likes it, but everything he has to wear is so ITCHY!"

I am especially excited about finally meeting my new niece, Reagan Aliza Lynch this weekend. I have been dying to hold her and am counting the days... I'm also excited to host a Thirty-one party at my friend Dana's house in Cypress on Sunday night. Come to think of it, I haven't mentioned it to Jeff yet. Oops.

Jiggety Jig.

2010-11-10T15:15:00.004-06:00

I am at home again full-time. I can hardly believe it. It feels like I just have a few days of vacation time, and I am quite sure if he could articulate it, Davers would be asking when the heck this little vacation will be over. It's been Baby Boot Camp for three days as I am trying to re-train some habits that aren't "BAD" per se... but habits that are okay in daycare, but not okay at home. Let's just say that when I catch him trying to get into the pantry he reflexively grabs his hiny in anticipation of the "sad spoon." I knew it wouldn't be an easy transition, but see things getting better every single day.

While I am on the look-out for a part-time HR role after the New Year, I am hoping that the Thirty-One continues to work out as well as it has so far. I have sold just under $4000 worth of products in my first month! From what I can tell, that's an awesome start, and I feel very blessed to have started during the holiday shopping season. I really enjoy the parties, and Jeff's been a real trooper about stepping in on Daddy Duty when I have a party.

I was all excited to meet Jack and Mrs. B in the parent pick-up area on Monday and Tuesday, but today, on Day Three, he rode the bus home. I just can't bear waking up Tazmanian Devil to go get Jack when he can be delivered to my front step while Bubba is sleeping. I enjoyed the extra time today to help him with his homework in peace.

Speaking of his homework, his teacher has been typing up special homework for him to keep him challenged. Last week's spelling words for the class were: "up, fun, us, but, cut, run, sun, bus, and rug." So she sent home Jack's special list, which included "harvesting crops, religious freedom, national holiday, long journey, The Mayflower, November, Pilgrims, and Thanksgiving." He got a 100! He amazes us every day.

This week's words are "extraordinary, spectacular, outstanding, wonderful, awesome, incredible, and courageous." Well, we always start with a pre-test to see how he does, and he only missed one:

"CRAGES"

Gosh, I love this kid. Had to laugh.

Things are a'changin' in Griffintown.

2010-10-27T21:32:00.005-05:00

Well, after several rounds of "How 'bout this? How 'bout that?," it became clear Friday that Methodist was not going to be able to offer me a part-time schedule that would make sense for our family. With so many changes and unknowns over the past year, one thing never wavered... how much I was missing spending quality time with my boys - all three of them. So, we took the plunge, and I gave notice at work. The team needs someone else. And I need something else.

I am grateful to Methodist for many things. First, they took a chance on me after I'd been a stay-at-home Mom for 18 months. In HR, that's an eternity. This job gave me the chance to launch a social media campaign, which is awesome on my resume. It allowed me to design, market, and create. In HR, that can be rare. It also introduced me to some amazing people with whom I know I'll keep in touch for a LONG long time.

I loved the work when I was there, but at the end of the day (or week), I couldn't ever seem to turn it off. The pace is too much for me, especially when I struggle so with how much time the boys were spending at daycare, and guilt over some the influence it has had on Davis.

I am not sure how we are going to make ends meet, but trust that God will reward our obedience to the call to return to Him and return to the family. I am excited about the Thirty-one business and the timing of getting into it. I have booked six total parties so far and look forward to filling even more slots before Christmas. I also have my feelers out in case a part-time Human Resources role happens upon me, but won't be actively looking until at least after the New Year.

I am SO excited to be home again, and am thankful for these past 10 months, because I will enjoy the time that much more now that I know the frantic, chaotic alternative.

On top of all that change, guess who poo-pooed in the potty yesterday?!! Davers! Yes, the same boy who has slept the past THREE nights in his BIG BOY toddler bed! Wow, I can't wait to get to know him again.

Okay, label me indecisive.

2010-10-19T22:57:00.002-05:00

Do you like this better? Or not as much? Honestly. Need an opinion.

Label me happy.

2010-10-18T00:40:00.006-05:00

It's almost 1:00am. In the words of Jack Everett, it is "redickelous" that I am still up. On a work night.

But, I've been busy designing this label:

Can't wait to see how it prints out for the Open House.... one week away. How exciting is that?

We had a great weekend and a highlight was showing the products to a couple of girlfriends and seeing that they were as excited about them as I am. I will cross my fingers that the rest of my gear arrives before Sunday, but it will be great either way.

I have already booked parties with Emily (10/30), Ann (11/4), Melody (11/7), and Marilyn (11/16), and am incredibly thankful for their support. There is Thirty-One stuff ALL OVER the house, though, so I really do need to work on a system and find a place to store it all. As soon as my organizing totes and file box arrives.

Better go to bed. Have to be in my desk in, oh, 7 hours. Ought to be interesting. I go part-time (officially) on November 1st. Although the date was moved, hours were changed, and role is completely different than anything we had previously discussed, I am very grateful for the opportunity and feel like it will work out quite nicely.

Let the two-week countdown begin!

"31" is my new lucky number!

2010-10-10T22:26:00.021-05:00

Well, I have a LOT to catch up on, but it is time to officially announce my newest business venture!

I am excited to announce that, as of October 8th, I am a "Thirty-One" Consultant!

What's that? Well, here's the short version of the story: I saw on Facebook that our College Minister's wife (and Worship Team lead singer) Stefani Burkholder was hosting a "31 Party." I always like to support a new Momtrepreneur, so decided to host a party at my house.

It wasn't until my living room was filled with some of my most favorite people (some from work, from church, from high school, playgroups...) that I realized how much I have been missing spending quality time with these quality women. I looked around and my eyes teared up a bit. I am very blessed, and these relationships are important. Not to mention, the products were adorable, the party was super fun, and I could see that Stefani considered this work a ministry. And it is. Named after Proverbs 31, I loved that it is a faith-based company meant to encourage, celebrate, and reward hard-working women.

I called her the next night and told her I was considering becoming a consultant. I started crying describing my current struggle with work-life balance, and she encouraged me to take some time to pray about it and discuss with Jeff whether I could handle "one more thing" on my plate. Well, since then, I have felt not only a peace, but a real excitement about the possibilities this could afford if I truly apply myself.

It's funny... I have always viewed direct-selling opportunities as a chance to earn a few bucks but always imagined it would be more trouble than it would be worth. I have also felt like it might be a "waste" of sorts of my education and skills. This time, I realized that it is my education and skills that just might make this work. So, I look forward to using my networking, marketing, sales, and recruiting skills in business for myself. Maybe just maybe in 2 or 3 years, this could become my sole income!

So, to put my own twist on it, I am branding my business as "31 by MBG" and the start-up fee was just $99.00!

First goal: Get the website up and running. Check!

Second goal: Facebook site! Check!

Third goal: Plan a Grand Opening/Blessing of the Business. Check!

Fourth goal: Sell $1000 in products in the first 60 days. Then I earn another big pack of great products for display.

Fifth goal: Lose 31 pounds. (Okay not really. But, seeing as how I AM 31, and I SELL 31, this would definitely complete the lucky number trifecta.)

Thanks for your prayers over this new venture. I appreciate your support and continued encouragement. I promise I will NOT use this blog as a way to advertise products and sales.

I will save that for the Facebook page and website.

However, I will use this blog to record how it's going, my successes and struggles, and of course all the funny "That would only happen to Melissa" stories along the way.

Thanks for being along for the ride!

"I wanna be a Billionaire..."

2010-10-03T01:01:00.008-05:00

My boss decided to leave Methodist this week and Friday was her last day. When she made the announcement, we sat there as a team... 10 recruiters, all women... and we cried as she described how the pace of the job has taken a huge toll on her and her two boys. We cried because we have watched it happen for this past year - to her, and to ourselves. She's the hardest working person I have ever met, and burned the candle at both ends. It was clear she had trouble turning it off, which made it difficult for us to turn it off too.

As she worked out her notice, I was proud of her decision to stand up for what's best for her family, but couldn't help but stress about what this would mean for my part-time role and MY family.

Davis continues to receive frustrated reports from his teachers, and Jack continues to share stories with me like, "Hey Mom, do you know the song "Billionaire?" I listen to it on Jared's iPod at daycare!" ... that make me cringe and feel like I am really compromising my standard of care for them.

I trust that God will work out the details, and the new preliminary plan is for me to begin a revised part-time role in November. In the meantime, I have to dig deep and continue to prove that I am valuable to the team, and that this part-time position will benefit Methodist Recruitment efforts.

For now, it's a matter of patience.

Still here...

2010-09-13T20:59:00.011-05:00

I had to remind myself this weekend that it's okay not to be "caught up" on my blog. When I think about how "behind" I am, I start to get overwhelmed. The truth is, it is not a play-by-play, and I don't have to "go back" if it means I won't go forward.

That said, in the interest of keeping things somewhat chronological....

Jack and Davis' birthday parties were a complete success.
1st grade pictures turned out adorable.
We love his teacher, but I do feel quite disconnected from the school since I am not involved with drop-off or pick-up from the school.
Jack's Tae Kwon Do "testing" was freakin' adorable and he totally surprised us by his confident performance. I will have to post the pics and videos.... someday. He is officially an "Advanced White Belt" and the cutest Wolf Pup in the Pack.
I went to Houston for my sweet sis-in-law's first baby shower this past weekend.
That's right, Trey and Tiff are about 4 weeks away from adopting my niece, and Auntie M (and the rest of the fam) could not be more excited.
Davis' ears are doing great, although both boys contracted whooping cough last week. The cases, while they kept me out of work for two days, were somewhat minor compared to the cases that made it to google.
Jeff is heading to Atlanta this week for the Consumer Electronics Design and Installation Association Snore-fest...um... I mean, totally awesome annual conference. As hard as the week is for me, I am glad he gets to go because I know he enjoys it so much.

But, the biggest news is, there is a light at the end of the tunnel for me on the employment front. Now that the job is officially posted, I feel like I can blog about it: It has been approved for me to go PART-TIME!!!! I am so excited! The position is a 20-hour position, working Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I will no longer be recruiting for individual openings; instead, I will be the "Social Networking and Technology Expert" for Methodist Healthcare. Expert... heh. I will maintain the Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts, and will maintain the JoinMEthodist Recruitment website. Additionally, I will be responsible for building relationships with the professional associations in town where we might be able to recruit new hires. Since I've never met a stranger, this ought to be a fun new aspect of the role for me.

Most importantly, I will have two days a week home with Davers (Jeff said, "Now you can teach him some manners!" Yeah.) and will be able to be home when Jack gets home from school. I hesitate to say how things will change because I have learned not to set all these expectations for myself, but I do know that I will no longer find myself feeding my kids "Wacky Packs" in the backseat of the van at 6:55pm on my way home from work.

I am not sure when I will be able to go part-time as there are many pieces that have to fall into place for it to happen. I have to close out several of my openings, and we have to hire a part-time back-fill to take over the other 20 hours of work I won't be there for... I pray this will all take place before the holidays.

So, yay for work-life balance... yay for putting our priorities back in order... and yay for finally finding time to blog. It's good to be back.

Now, to figure out the best way to download these videos and photos from the iPhone to the hard drive to the laptop... (Maybe I should call a "technology expert") and we'll be back in action on this-here blog.

Until then, it's good to be "caught up."

Hear ye, hear ye...

2010-08-31T22:29:00.002-05:00

Davis' tube 'installation' went well Monday morning. Jeff took him at 5:30am to arrive at 6:00 am for the 7 o'clock surgery. Yes, he drew the short straw. Well, he had to go because they require a photo ID at check-in and I lost mine over a month ago. Which reminds me, I need to google how to get another one. Anyway... I took Jack to Devin's house around 6:20 and met Jeff at the Methodist Ambulatory Surgery Center at 6:50am... and they had already taken him back for sedation. I was sorry I missed him, but poor Jeff had rolled around a hungry baby whining for cereal for over an hour, so he wasn't exactly going to ask them to wait for me.

About 20 minutes later, Dr. Hatch came around the corner and said they were done. He rambled instructions about drops or something... blah... blah... blah... I couldn't concentrate on what he was saying because I could already hear Davis screaming from the other room. When we got to him he was losing his mind. Just like they warned... he was crazy mad coming out of the anesthesia. He was screaming, kicking, throwing his woobie, juice cup, socks... then he started biting me... then biting himself... yanking at his ankle bracelet, scratching, hitting... We waited it out, but Jeff got bitten too. It was scary and upsetting, but we knew it was the medicine and sure enough, in about 20 minutes he was back to his normal self.

He was groggy the rest of the day and took two 3-hour naps and still went to bed on time last night. We are thankful that Nana was able (and willing) to stay home with him today so I could return to work worry-free. So we go back in three weeks and have to put drops in his ears three times a day for seven days.

We are hoping this will be the end of the chronic ear infections and this winter will be kinder to our little blonde rascal. Time will tell.

Breaking point.

2010-08-28T22:14:00.009-05:00

While I am certainly not proud of it, I don't want to forget that it happened... so I will now share the events following Jack's' first day of school.

When Jeff and I dropped him off for his first day of school, we couldn't have asked for it to go better. {I would upload the pictures, but I took them on my new iPhone, and haven't figured out the best way to download them to this-here PC.} Mrs. Balido was worried because a parent had brought cupcakes on Day One for the birthday of one of his classmates, but thankfully I had packed her a baggie of egg-free desserts to keep on hand for such occasions throughout the year. We hugged him goodbye, snapped a couple of pics, dropped Davis off in his new 2-yr-old class, and I made it to work on time with no problem.

I thought about him all day, and was relieved when I heard from the daycare that he had arrived safely on the van from the school. While it was good to know he was safe, I felt a pang of disappointment that I had not made arrangements to pick him up from school myself. What a LONG first day for such a little guy. I pushed those feelings aside to try to concentrate on work. After all, my inability to concentrate has become evident at work lately and the pressure is mounting there as well.

So, when the clock struck 4:59pm, I headed to the school, anxious to see how their days had gone. On the way out of the office, I had a stressful work-related interaction, and got caught up in a phone call from a Director ... which continued for many minutes in the daycare parking lot. I was hot and sweaty by the time I got into the daycare. When I picked up Davis, his teacher seemed completely exasperated. Turns out, it was her first day in the new class as well. She told me about Davis' obsession with flipping over the metal chairs, and that he'd pull toys off the shelves which would lead the others to do the same. She also mentioned (add this to the list of things I would rather a teacher NOT share with me) that three of the kids cried "from the time their Moms left 'til the time they got picked up."

Great. That's what I need to hear... so I carried his snotty-faced self over to get Jack. When I walked around the corner, the teacher said, "GUYS, get out from under the table! I am going to count to three... ONE..." and as soon as he said ONE, Jack Everett immediately jumped out from under the table saying, "Sorry..." and then he saw me.

Instead of his usual excitement to see us, he says in a whiny baby voice, "Wah, me no wanna go home. Wah wah wah!" and started acting like a bratty baby. I would have been surprised he was acting this way except that I remember how tired and cranky he was the first day home from Kindergarten. I tried to stay calm, but by this time Davis was arching his back wanting to get down. I looked at Jack... by this time it is 6:05pm and I already feel the pressure of impending 7:45 bedtime... and calmly said, "Let's get your backpack and get home so we can eat dinner."

"Wah, I am too tired. Can you carry it? It's too heavy! I'm so tired. I carried it all the way here from the school. Why can't you just go get it?" Again, trying to stay calm, I bend down, "Jack, Mommy's hands are obviously full and Davis is getting heavy. Hurry up and go get your bag." Well, as any Mom of a Boy reading this knows... little boys can't just walk like normal people... they have to run on all fours like a jaguar, hop on one foot, army crawl, skip, or any variation of movement that does not include walking calmly like a normal person. So, he flies like an airplane around the corner into the hall where the cubbies are, which irritates me immensely. As soon as I get around the corner, Davis throws his arms out to be an airplane too, knocking my sunglasses onto the floor. Mind you, all this is happening while I am in heels.... and sweating.

I pick up the sunglasses and decide to let Davis walk. Through gritted teeth I say, "Jack, hurry up and get your bag. Let's go!" He swings his airplane wing through his cubby without any attempts to actually grab it, and knocks the (brand new) backpack onto the floor throwing the Thermos ($16.99) across the hall onto the floor.

Without hesitation or thought, I just swung my hand and slapped his airplane wing out of the air. He looked at me in complete shock. I had shocked myself. I hit him hard, on his forearm with my bare hand. He just started bawling and I didn't know what to say. I picked up the Thermos, the backpack, and the baby, and started toward the exit. We had to pass by his teacher so that Jack could yell, "SHE HIT ME ON THE ARM!!!" through screaming tears.

Then, and by now I am totally sweating and about to cry... we pass the Daycare Director. When she kindly asks him what's wrong, he yells, "My Mommy HIT ME on the arm FOR NO REASON!!!" She said, "Well, I am sure she had a reason...." to which he replied, "It was just over a BACKPACK! That's ALL! And she hit me HARD!" I said to her, knowing she's a Mom too... "that pretty much sums it up."

By the time I strapped them into the car, Jack is crying, Davis is yelling, "Snack!? Snack?! Snack?!" over and over... and I looked in the mirror thinking, "What am I DOING?"

I apologized to Jack before driving off and he said, "You were so MEAN! You hit me because of a BACKPACK and that's not even IMPORTANT!! Is a backpack important!? Is it?!"

I was not ready to talk about it. I just wanted to tell him to "shut up" but didn't think I wanted to break two of my cardinal parenting rules in the span of three minutes.

When I got him home, it was 6:35pm-ish, and they were starving. They were under my feet as I threw Honeycombs and applesauce on the table. Only for Davis to throw Honeycombs and applesauce onto the floor. We rounded off our meal with sliced turkey served straight off the placemat and some strawberry yogurt. Oh, and they split a slice of wheat bread... with the dog. I got them into the bathtub at 7:20pm and had to spank Davis' hiny because he was standing up and trying to pour water onto the bathmat. I was still in my work clothes with my badge on and sunglasses in my hair, still sweating... when Jeff finally walked in from work.

After saying hello in the doorway, he went straight to the back to change out of his work clothes and I barked at him, "BY ALL MEANS! Make yourself comfortable!!!" I felt so mean and frankly, felt out of control. He dried them off and got them into their jammies while I cleaned applesauce off the kitchen floor. By the time they brushed their teeth and came out with their PJ's on, it was 7:45pm.

Bed time.

Jeff said, "Why don't you go change clothes, and I'll put the baby to bed." So he did. I didn't hold Davis, sing to him, read to him or play with him. Not once. I barked at him and spanked him, but that's it. And he was in bed.

Jack was laying in his bed when I finished changing clothes. I apologized to him, trying not to cry. I asked him to tell me about his first day, and he said he was too tired to talk about it. He told me it embarrassed him that I hit him at his daycare. I know it did. It embarrassed me too. I prayed with him, asking God for forgiveness for not controlling my anger and asked for His help to multiply the time we have together in the evenings.

I called Emily and told her about my evening. I was so disappointed. I had only seen Jack for a minute and a half on such an important day in his life... and I lost it... out of nowhere. Work had me so stressed out that I was at my breaking point when I finally picked him up.

I decided that night that I had to make a change. We have to make a change. This is not working for me.

{The very next night I re-instituted the one-on-one Mommy/Jack reading time, and made sure the rest of the nights of the week were better. They were still completely rushed, chaotic, and stressful, but nothing like Day One.}

Have to go to bed... Davis has his surgery (tubes for his ears) tomorrow and we have to have him there by 6:00am.

More to come on the change... it's in the works and I trust that God will provide a way to restore balance in our home. One way or another.

The Three "Arghhhs..."

2010-08-25T21:00:00.011-05:00

We survived the first full week of First Grade. (I will have to write more later about our first day... but will concentrate on a positive story first.)

Jack loves his teacher, Mrs. Balido, and seems to be a fan of First Grade. We gather this via his randomly-timed funny tidbits about the events of the day. His favorite thing about Mrs. Balido is that she allows them to have water bottles on their desks. The biggest difference between Kinder and First grade is that First Grade has TWO slides. The coolest thing about his class is that "it goes me, then McKayla, then Aidan, then some other girl, then Angel in my row." He really wants four pickles in his lunch, but Daddy keeps packing three. I am thankful for the moments he shares and don't press for more, even though I would hang on every word if he'd provide me some dadgum detail.

He and I have discovered, well, REdiscovered a special activity this past week: Me reading chapter books to him. Since he's learned to read on his own, I have been having him read books to me, read books to Davis, or more often these days, he just listens along while I read baby books to Davis.

Every night this week after Davis has gone to bed, I have read one chapter, (or, "pleease pleeeease, can we do TWO chapters tonight?") to him out of a chapter book about pirates. I had forgotten what a sweet time it is and don't really remember when we got away from it.

Mrs. Balido reminded me that reading TO them is just as important as having them read. It's not just reading skills we're working on... she said this year's focus is to develop a LOVE of reading. I thought back over my childhood and remember my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Davis, reading aloud to us and how I loved it. She read "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" and I remember her getting to the third chapter or so before realizing she had been calling the girl "Imagine" instead of "EYE-ma-gene." We all laughed. I remember Mrs. Zymke reading "Indian in the Cupboard" and remember another teacher reading "James and the Giant Peach" aloud. But, my favorite was when Mom read "The Princess and the Dragon" and "The Secret Garden."

Every night when we start to read, he says, "Who do you want to be this time? I'm Cap'n Bones. You can be Annie, or Stinky, or the parrot." Tonight, I was Annie.

It takes time, it takes concentration and intention, but it has reconnected us in a special way this week. I am not sure who looks forward to it more.

It has also given me a chance to brush up on my pirate voice and talking parrot impersonation, which will help me in ALL aspects of my life.

One chapter closes... another chapter begins.

2010-08-22T23:00:00.003-05:00

Kindergarten graduate, 2010.

Hard to believe he's in first grade. Off to bed so we can do the whole-family drop-off production tomorrow morning.

Special thoughts to Julie and Steph sending their first off to Kindergarten.

Love you guys! E-mail me tomorrow and let me know how it goes!

Back to Basics.

2010-08-20T22:21:00.004-05:00

Back to School.
Back to early bedtime.
Back to forms to fill out.
Back to wishing I could pick him up every day.
Back to feeling like I can't keep up with it all.
Back to "where in the world did you hear that word?"
Back to "... NO FAIR! So-and-so's Mom lets HIM watch it..."
Back to him rolling his eyes when I ask about his day.
Back to "Mommy, we had cupcakes today and I didn't get to have one. NO FAIR!"
Back to amazing art work.
Back to handsomeness on school picture day.
Back to "Hurry up, honey, or you're going to be tardy!"
Back to laying out clothes the night before.
Back to "Sarah, can we carpool tomorrow... Jeff's got an early meeting."
Back to packing egg-free, peanut-free snacks for class parties.
Back to PTA meetings.
Back to newsletters.
Back to the allergist for paperwork and more paperwork.
Back to having trouble finding 15 minutes per night to read to my son.
Back to calls from the school nurse when his face is red or lips are swelling.
Back to a sweaty red-faced boy who doesn't think he needs a bath.
Back to adorable writing samples.
Back to wishing I could protect him from embarrassment or hurt feelings.
Back to rinsing out Tupperware every day.
Back to Scobee Shirt needs to be clean every Friday.
Back to Library Book due back every Tuesday.
Back to Blue Folder goes home every other week.
Back to Yellow Folder goes home every week.
Back to Reading Logs go home daily.
Back to Homework goes home Monday and comes back Friday.
Back to Field trip permission slips and sack lunches.
Back to Teacher Appreciation gift... Christmas gift... Valentine's Day gift... Birthday gift...
Back to early dismissals causing work dilemmas.

Back to "Where the time has gone?"

Back to wondering how I can ever manage it all.

Back to wishing I could be home.

Back to my knees to pray about what to do next.

Something's gotta give.

Incentives rock.

2010-07-22T22:02:00.002-05:00

We recently instituted a Rock Jar for Jack to reward him for unprompted use of his manners and for helping without being asked. He gets a rock when he clears the table without being asked, gets into the shower the FIRST time we ask, or when he doesn't talk back when he's told "NO." We never take rocks away... at this point. It's not really to curb misbehavior... it's just to reinforce that we appreciate how good he is 97% of the time.

When we got the jar, we quickly realized the rocks we bought were really small. So, I created a "GOAL" line with a piece of tape... so we could move it up as he progressed. When he reached the first line, he got to go to the theater to see "How to Train Your Dragon." Near the end there, we had to shift it into high gear before the movie went to DVD. He pretty much got a rock for EVERY polite thing he said.

As with any reward system I have tried, it started off swimmingly. My days were filled with "yes ma'am" and "May I get the door for you?" and "I cleared the table, see?".

As usual, it wasn't long before this attempt at organized recognition turned against us a bit. These instances mostly make me laugh, but also make me question the activity altogether.

Overheard in my house:

Jack: "Mom, watch what I am about to do in case you might want to give me a rock."
Mom: "Jack, just focus on the behavior, not on the rock."
===========

Mom: "Jack, Please pick up the living room because Daddy is on his way."
Jack: "Is the mess the right size for a rock?"
===========

Jack: "Mom, if you had a rock jar, you would probably lose one right now."
Mom: "Excuse me?..."
J: "Well, I asked for milk once. Then I asked for it two times and I still don't have milk."
M: "Jack, honey, I did not hear you, and you're not being very respectful talking to Mommy right now. Mommy does not lose or gain rocks."
J: "Mom, just focus on the behavior, not on the rocks."
(oh, yes he did.)
===========

Yeah, the whole "Manners ROCK!" idea has been a bit rockier than I had hoped. I do hear FAR more "yes ma'ams" than I did before we implemented it. But, there's a blurry line between rewarding behaviors that are extraordinary vs. acknowledging basic minimum expectations.

But as soon as I think these behaviors really should just be expected, I think about my days at work. Here I am 31 years old, and I am a professional, receiving a good salary. It's EXPECTED that I am going to hire a certain number of people... and EXPECTED that I turn in quality work... and that I arrive on time for duty. But, man, it sure feels good when I get a "WOW Card" or a "Great Job" every once in a while. It is satisfying to look over and see Thank you cards on my wall as a reminder that someone noticed me and that my efforts are not taken for granted.

Bottom line, as long as getting a rock puts a smile on his proud little face, we'll keep it up.

Jack Everett, we're incredibly proud of you, buddy. You are far beyond a mother's wildest expectations. Forgive us if we take your efforts for granted. You try so hard and we notice.

No amount of rocks could show how much you are loved and appreciated.

However, it looks like about three more rocks will get you that ticket to Fiesta Texas.

Sleeping Champion #2

2010-07-20T22:35:00.006-05:00

We used to call Jack Everett the "Sleeping Champion" after his almost two years of two-naps-per-day gave way to one 3 to 4-hour naps and long 12-hr stints of peaceful overnight slumber. Well, his penchant for snoozing could definitely be attributed to his being sick, his compromised immune system, or the fact that both of his parents love sleep... but whatever the reason, we thanked God for his sleep pattern pretty dang regularly.

Whenever our friends would talk to us about him, they'd say, "You just WAIT until your second one comes along! You won't get so "lucky" (ahem) next time around!" I'd take these frequent "well-wishes" for our unborn child as a challenge, secretly hoping they were wrong.

So, when Davers started showing signs of becoming Sleeping Champion #2, I figured it wouldn't last for long. Turns out, God has proven once again that He just KNOWS what we can and can't handle and Jeff and I NEED our sleep. Davis loves his naps and usually welcomes the words, "You ready for night-night?" He nods his head and immediately starts looking around for his beloved "woobie." It is the same at Moms, Nanas, Aunt Mels, or at a hotel... yes, we are very blessed. We're just so dad-gummed worn out by him during his waking hours, we don't have anything left for a bedtime battle.

On this particular night this week, we decided to record his little night-time routine. We had to do things slightly out of order since we ordinarily turn the lights out before playing the blankie peekaboo game. As you can see, it was hard to record in pitch black.

We bought his toddler bed on Craigslist yesterday, and will keep it in the garage until he shows signs of crawling out of his crib, starts waking up from being uncomfortable, or gets so big he looks ridiculous in it... whichever comes first. In the meantime, we'll rest up in preparation for the "stay in your bed" battles that are sure to ensue...

Davis' Birthday, Take Two.

2010-07-18T14:58:00.011-05:00

Davis' Big Day. In pictures.

We dropped him off at daycare so he could share Birthday "foss" (applesauce) with his classmates. It's his fave.

Here is the closest he ever got to showing us "TWO" on his fingers.... thanks to catching two of them under the carseat buckle.

Here we are at the grand door of the daycare. It's really a beautiful place...

... with Marble paintings and a big formal dining hall...

The kids finished up lunch while some headed to their mats for nap time. He stayed just long enough to rest up for a big dinner at a new family restaurant called the "Yacht Club."

Even though the nachos there were as big as THIS...

... it was hard keeping Davis strapped into THIS...

... when he could just look out the window and see THIS...

They have a fenced in playground eating area outside and by 8:30 it was cool enough not to need sunscreen. Between 5:30 and 7:00, it was pretty miserable out there.

So, he opened about three gifts, and was ready to hit the playground again.

If it were up to Jack, they'd slide down together every time. Davis, on the other hand... prefers flyin' solo!

The funny thing is, he's about as good climbing up the slide as he is coming down. His gross motor skills are pretty awesome.

So, we went ahead and forced him to take the milestone "bear" picture... and he did NOT want to sit for it. I always tell people... even when he's misbehaving or disobeying... he pretty much does it with a BIG smile on his face. It's charming and maddening all at the same time.

We changed them into their new birthday jammies for some late-night pics. By this time, Jeff is always like, "Melissa, seriously, let's get them into bed!" ... while I say, "but look how cute they are and how cooperative they are being!"

As we went through our little bedtime routine that night, I thought about that tiny baby laying there in that tiny isolette in the St. Luke's NICU just two years earlier. I just wanted to hold him, to nurse him. It felt like it would be forever before I could take him home. I had no idea how that little blonde-headed guy would change me. As a Mom, as a person. No idea how he'd humble me, challenge me, exasperate me, and exhiliarate me.

I can't imagine where his fun-loving personality and abundant energy will take him. I am glad I get a front-row seat. I just hope I can keep up.

Happy Birthday, Davis!

Two cute.

2010-07-14T23:10:00.000-05:00

Busy day for a busy boy!

Davers,

Your Momma is worn out and will have to write more later. But, I didn't want to go to bed without writing how much love, amusement, and amazement I felt for you today.

Totally NOT tubular.

2010-07-09T23:18:00.003-05:00

We are going to have to take our little guy in to see about getting tubes in his ears. It's about his 8th or 9th ear infection and they typically hang around for two rounds of antibiotics, which is not good either. We've received many recommendations for local doctors, but now have to make the appointment. It really is always SOMETHING.

In the meantime, he will be TWO in five days. That's just crazy.

Yay for a long 4th of July weekend!

2010-07-07T20:28:00.017-05:00

We had a spontaneous early morning water playdate in the backyard with Jack's good pal Devin from Kindergarten. His Mom Karen and I were co-Room Mothers this year and she's become a great friend. Our two boys are two peas in a pod. And two smart little peas at that.

Dueling Slip-N-Sliders.

Left: Water balloon fights reminded these two Moms how long it takes to fill and tie water balloons and just how quickly two 5-yr-old boys can use 'em up. Right: This crazy contraption "The Waterpillar" from Grandmama provided lots of laughter... mostly from me and Karen.

And as I do on almost all water play days, I pulled out the floor mats from my car. Hey, it's a win-win... tons o' suds and spray gun hoses for the boys, and shiny clean mats for Mama!

On Sunday, July 4th, we headed to Marble Falls for a long-awaited trip to see Grandmama. Davis swept the back porch while Jack assembled a new game from family friend/neighbor Mr. Schwab. Brother looks on, amazed at Jack's engineering skills.

It's called "Ladder Golf" and the boys loved it. You throw the two balls connected by strings and score points for looping them around the different PVC-pipe rungs. Jack threw from about four feet while Davis preferred more of a direct placement approach.

Check out GMM's Beeeautiful backyard. What I would give for a yard like this!! (Or is that "What I wouldn't give for a yard like this!"... hmmm, help me out here peeps.)

They played out back, ate popcorn from Mom's beloved popcorn machine, and Mom, Grandmama and I finished this 1000-piece puzzle. Isn't it glorious with Jack's multi-colored Lady Liberty looking on?

It's getting much easier to take the boys places and they really get along wonderfully most of the time. Jack cracks up at Davis' funny new words and Davis cracks up at just about anything Jack does.

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Okay, so maybe 4th of July was when we decided they wouldn't wear matching clothes any more, not Easter...
(I just couldn't resist.)

Speaking of fired...

2010-07-01T16:09:00.008-05:00

MAJOR faux pas today on the Methodist Facebook page.

When we won the coveted "Fire Starter" award, I meant to write that Debbie is a leader who keeps the "FIRE" spreading.

Instead... I posted this on the company site...

Oh yes, I did. And, it was up for almost 19 hours before Debbie herself caught it.

Well, all I can do is laugh about it.

(And I actually can't stop laughing about it every time I think of it...)

Dino Diet and Bathtime mischief.

2010-06-30T22:26:00.006-05:00

It looks like Davers' dino prefers chips of the Baked variety. After a run-in with his applesauce, my shirtless rascal got into some mischief before bathtime tonight.

Look at that hair!

More mischief after bath. It's hard keeping him away from the laptop. If I leave it next to the recliner, he makes a bee-line, laughing and looking behind him to see if I'm running after. Most of the time, I am.

He multi-tasked while brushing his teeth and found his way back into the chip box. I love those plaid pajama pants and that soft combed-over hair.

Davis, you are so very rascally... in a precious, irresistable kinda way.

Better belated than never?

2010-06-27T17:48:00.006-05:00

On July 14th of 2009, we had a small gathering at Aunt Mel's house for Davis' first birthday. It was sort of a combo party with Jack since Uncle Greg and Aunt Sharon were in town from Missouri and would miss Jack's big party.

To prepare for the party, Jack helped decorate by coloring these banners. Hope made this cake in honor of Jack getting ready to go to Kindergarten. (Then we had to tell him he could't eat any of it. Poor guy.)

The man of the hour! He was doing his best to climb out of those straps and/or pull down that tablecloth, so this was a bit of a short-lived scene.

See what I mean about that tablecloth?

Aw, some brotherly love for the birthday song. Davis REALLY looks like Jeff's Dad Jarrell to me in the picture on the left. He used to make that same face with his eyes wide open. Aw, we miss Papa!

But, we did have the next best thing! We were very blessed with a surprise visit from Jarrell's little brother, Robbie Griffin from Salado. It made us get teary-eyed seeing Davis with Uncle Robbie because he reminds us so much of Jarrell.

Davis read his puppy card over and over while Jack opened a ton of gifts.

Love this pic of me and my boy. We've both gotten bigger since last year.

The fave gift of the evening was Davis' new sports field. Once Jack showed him how to use it, he spent the next year shoving EVERYTHING BUT those orange basketballs down that plastic chute as the crowd cheered him on.

Happy (belated) First Birthday, Davers!

Rapid ramblings of a working party planner.

2010-06-27T14:59:00.012-05:00

It really is amazing how time has flown. I just completed my sixth month on the job. I know. Crazy. I now really GET what they mean when they say, "Well, that's Healthcare for ya." or when I talk about how fast-paced everything is and get the usual response of, "Welcome to Healthcare." There are four of us (CORPORATE recruiters) who started at the same time, and we're still having a hard time keeping up with the crazy-fast pace, crazy-heavy workload, and "do it right now" expectations.

I do feel like I recognize people and acronyms a little better, I don't get lost as often driving in the Medical Center, and my multi-tasking skills are sharpening. I am about to get an iPhone (thanks to Dad) from which I can Facebook and Tweet more effectively, so that's exciting. I have been warned that it will take all I have not to bury my head in it, but we'll have to wait and see.

In the midst of making another to-do list and contemplating summer vacation, it just hit me. Davis will turn two in, well, two weeks. Meaning, I have a party to plan and if Miss Manners were the hostess, her guests would have received the invites by... yesterday!

So, Jack agreed to have their parties together with one condition... Davis has his own party theme, and Jack has his own. He wants to decorate the room down the middle so "his friends would know which side of the party is his." So, we're going with it. I called Party City last night to see when they closed. It was 8:20pm, and they closed at 9:00pm. Perfect. I work best under pressure. I threw Jack in the car (excited about a post-bedtime excursion) and we were on a 30-minute mission.

Half Hot Wheels, half Jungle Animals, half the expense. And, it has all the makings of another "only the Griffins..." type experience for our guests.

It's interesting how differently I am approaching the party planning now that I am working. No on-line comparison shopping and overthinking, no custom printed invites with 3-d embellishments. No hand-made banners, elaborate menus... not even a Gigantic pinata. And, it will be just as much fun. The extra costs for convenience? Add it in. See it at Party City? Buy it. What if Walmart has it at better price? Oh well. Left the coupon at home? Forget it.

I remind myself that the Mom whose party decorations look like this...

...loves her child no more than the Mom whose party decorations look like this...

I was also reminded this week that I still have not blogged about their LAST year's parties. Yes, that would be Davis' FIRST BIRTHDAY. Oh, which reminded me... we ended up cancelling his party the night before because our air conditioning went out. Poor second-borns.

So, all the time I just saved with my streamlined party-supply purchasing, I have decided to spend finally blogging about last year's b-day events. Makes perfect sense. It will be much more productive than, oh, the pile of laundry waiting for me behind the pantry door. I am sure when Jeff says, "Honey, did WE wash any of my underwear?" (And by WE, he means ME.) I will say, "No, but I did do something WAY BETTER... I finally got last year's birthday party posts done."

He'll be so excited.

Schmethics?

2010-06-24T09:26:00.002-05:00

I am working at home today. I am in the middle of (well, it's running in the background) an "Ethics Refresher Course" which takes about 90 minutes.

I decided I'd take a few seconds to write a quick blog post... but thought better of it.

Before he turns two...

2010-06-11T16:11:00.003-05:00

... I figured I better get Davers' 21-month picture posted. (I actually remembered to take it when he turned 21-months old...)

Here he is holding his beloved woobie....the magic sleep blankie. We have six of them.

Jack Everett's funny streak...

2010-06-10T22:37:00.008-05:00

Jack says funny things all the time, but lately some extra silly things have come out of that gappy grin. I posted some of these on Facebook as they happened, but wanted to chronicle them here (since Blogger will be around FOREVER, heh.)

After making the "Monster truck engine roar" sound for about ten solid minutes, I ask Jack, "Honey, doesn't that hurt your throat??". He stops just long enough to say, "Yes, but it's totally worth it!" and races down the hallway...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jack: "But I don't LIKE pineapples."
Me: "Honey, you need to eat more fruit. You used to eat tons of fruit."
J: "I eat Fritos! Fritos is Spanish for fruit!"
M: "Nice try, buddy."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I surprised Jack with a box of chocolate milk when I picked him up from his first day at the new daycare. Later that evening, we had this funny conversation:
Jack: "Mom, that was the best shake I have EVER had! Please bring me one of those kind of shakes every single day!"
Me: "Shake?! Do you mean the chocolate milk I brought you from work?"
J: "Yeah, the "Shake Well."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After being asleep for quite some time, Jack comes stumbling into the living room with squinty eyes, and is TOTALLY sweaty. He holds up a toy motorcycle, and says to us - dead serious - "Mom. Dad. HOW can I be SO sweaty?! All I have on is this SHORT-sleeve pajama shirt, these SHORT shorts, and the only thing I am holding is this ONE light-weight object!"

Jeff and I cracked up.

What 5-year-old says "light-weight object" ... half-asleep no less... and what's he doing holding a motorcycle in bed anyway?

Man, I LOVE this kid.

Blogstacles.

2010-06-06T14:23:00.016-05:00

One of the hardest things about working full-time has been my inability to keep up with the blog. I love this thing... not only does it keep me connected with people I don't otherwise see, it is an reminder to me that we really do a lot together as a family.

The fact that I have not posted anything lately is not what bothers me most. What bothers me, is that I feel like we haven't been able to find time to do anything worth posting, either. Our together time seems to consist of laundry, a shopping cart, or singing the "clean up" song trying to pull the house back together.

Jack has finished his last day of Kindergarten and thanks to a storm blowing out the power at the daycare, I was able to take an unexpected day off to enjoy the festivities. I cried when I said "goodbye" to Mrs. Brockman. I cried because I feel so grateful for how amazing she has been. I also cried because I know something Jack doesn't know. She will not be at Scobee next year.... which means he is NOT going to see her after the summer... which means he will NOT likely get to see her big pregnant... and will NOT likely get to meet the baby. It breaks my heart. She just didn't have the heart to tell the kids and I am glad she didn't. Jack talks about Mrs. Brockman every single day and his writing about her (and there is a lot of it) is precious. (And to think I was so worried about getting a new teacher at the beginning of the year...)

Jeff sat down in front of the laptop today at lunch and Davis looked over from his highchair and said, "Mommy's chair! Mommy's Chair!" OUCH. Guess I haven't been staying off the work laptop as much as I thought.

Luckily, things are looking up for us in the "family time" department. Jeff was finally granted Saturdays off. I am so relieved. I feel like I've worked full-time for six days a week for the past five months, and it wears on me. I feel bad because by the time he came home on Saturday nights, I was ready to hand them over and lock myself in the closet for some quiet time. It will be great to have two days home together and will free me up to grocery shop on Saturday mornings while they are all sleeping. (That's the plan anyway... who knows.)

So, it is clear to me that I have two choices. I can moan about working full-time or find a way to make it work and be happy. I am trying to find a balance but am so disappointed that we're five months in and I still feel as harried as I did Week One. I have never worked at ANY job, (even Kinko's when I was 16) where at some point I didn't receive feedback that I have trouble staying focused. Every boss I have ever had has given me this feedback, to which I want to reply, "You don't say!?" So, it was almost comforting when it was the first "area of improvement" on my 90-day appraisal at Methodist. Gwen was so sweet about it. I mean, she's raising two boys too. It's sort of reassuring when she drives me to an important meeting and I have to move a Transformer and a blue swim shoe off her passenger seat before sitting down.

I am still working on a "system" for staying focused and organized. With each new job, I try lists, calendars, flags on my Outlook, etc. until something works, but this job proposes challenges I have never faced. Not only have I never juggled so many things at once, I have never before had to support people who work at different facilities all over town, and haven't had to balance a work cell phone. Now people can send me to-do's via cell phone, e-mail, voicemail, and text and I might be at lunch, at home, or at a remote facility when I receive them. It's multi-tasking to the max and those of you who know me don't need me to explain how hard that is for me. On top of that, Smart Phones are NOT in the budget after all, so we are doing this without remote computer access. (I know...)

But, there are parts of this job that are right up my alley and I love to do. For one, I got the chance to create from scratch the new "JoinMEthodist" recruitment logo and pitch it to marketing for approval. After much deliberation, here is what I came up with:

It will soon be seen on thousands of mugs, bags, shirts, and pens, and that's pretty exciting. I'll also be rolling out the website soon if I can just (you guessed it) stay focused on the minutia required to get it all done.

The boys start tomorrow at the Humble Creek Ranch Youth Enrichment and Sports Academy. Sounds expensive. That's because it is. While Jeff is still reeling a bit with sticker shock, he understands that if I am worried about the kids at daycare all day, I will never be able to (you guessed it again) focus on my work. I think he is also tired of hearing me talk about the things that I don't like about our old place. (If the top three ingredients are Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, and Citric Acid, it's not juice, it's a melted snow cone.) Jack loves the old daycare, but Davis is happy to take his "listening problem" with him to a bigger room with more space and newer toys. So, my fingers are crossed that Monday goes okay.

Better run before Jack, Davis, and Jeff finish their naps. The final blogstacle is that my digital camera is broken. Ugh. Thankfully Husband-o-the-year bought the four-year warranty, so I turned it over to the Geek Squad at Best Buy for the two-week repair.

Wouldn't you know the boys were posing in collared shirts and combed-over hair this morning and Jack said, "Mommy, take our picture!!" Wishing I had a smart phone or something, I remembered the words of my wise big bro Trey "Just because you didn't get a picture of it doesn't mean it didn't happen." So, I soaked in their handsomeness for a few moments and we left for church. I would have loved to post a pic for everyone, but here's one from Easter instead.

Easter Sunday 2010. The day it was officially decided that Jack is too old to match his little brother.

Keith and Kayla in the House!

2010-05-20T15:30:00.005-05:00

My eldest niece, Kayla Michon, became Mrs. Keith House last weekend (actually... it was several weeks ago, but it has taken me this long to write this post.) in Blue Springs, Missouri. We loaded up the mini and did what only we can do - we turned this trip into another National Lampoons Griffin Roadtrip Adventure, about which I simply don't have time to provide a written play-by-play.

I will say that at some point in the trip, I threw up down my front in the van and had to change clothes roadside in rush hour traffic, and any money we might have saved by NOT flying was swiftly used up by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Lee's Summit Emergency Department. Anyway, back to the beautiful wedding that made it all worth-while...

And with one little lift, Jack shows Davers the hotel pool we had managed to hide from him all day long. Big brother's always got his back.

Son Kyle walks his Momma down the aisle. And quite predictably, I cried for the first time during the wedding prep.

When Kayla called to ask if we'd allow BOTH kiddos to be a part of her wedding, I couldn't imagine Davis sitting in a wagon with Keith's 9-month-old nephew while Jack slowly rolled them down the aisle. I imagined Davis either smacking Caden and pulling his hair, or standing up and playing wagon surfboard and jumping out. That is if he'd even keep his suit on. The rehearsal was comical to say the least. Between the wagon speed, steep slope of the aisle, and Caden being fairly new at the whole sitting up thing, it was decided that Caden's Grandma should follow behind "just in case."

Jack loved his "Ring Bearer prize." Davis got a puzzle that kept him busy just long enough to get through dinner.

Nothing makes a bride and groom look like an instant family like asking them to hold my kids for a photo. (Left: at Kyle's rehearsal last year)

The boys with the BEAUTIFUL bride just before the ceremony. Nana helps wrangle the wild Ring Bear.

Left: Uncle Greg gives the boys a pep talk before the ceremony. Right: That's a whole lotta cute in one little wagon.

And, finally, the BIG moment arrived...

Kayla looked amazing and the boys were perfect angels all the way down the aisle. I scooped up Davers and we sat down with our bag of snacks, books, and toys. They kept him quiet for about 90 seconds. I quickly had to run him out to the back of the church and spent the rest of the ceremony in the church nursery with Matt, another Dad, and our three toddlers. So, I didn't hear the ceremony but I hear it was awesome.

I love this picture of Kayla resting her head on Keith's shoulder while Greg lead them in prayer.

As Papa used to say, "Keith, you may salute your bride." It is so exciting to see two people who love the Lord, love each other, and love life. There is so much hope and promise in these two.

The bride and groom with the super-tired, super-handsome Ring bearers.

Off to the reception where it was time to PARTAY! They surprised everyone with this dance. Reminded me our OUR reception almost 11 years ago. Only without the music or the dancing. ha!

The cakes.

These pictures of Jack "dancing" crack me up. He definitely gets his moves from his Mama...

... and his looks from his Dad. We had to leave the reception after about 40 minutes. Davis was NOT havin' it.

I was able to snap these last pics in their dress duds before calling it a night.

Looking adorable takes a lot out of ya. Plus, he was developing walking pneumonia, we found out the next day at the E.R. Poor guy.

This is what the mini looked like when we headed home. Jack is peeking over the piles of crap and dirty laundry. As hard as it is for me to put this in writing, I must say: While it's certainly not winning me any cool points, the MV does have a heckuvalotta cargo space.

Overall, it was a wonderful trip and so great to see everyone under such fun conditions. It went by way too quickly and, as always, we wished we lived closer.... and like we do after every road trip... we promised ourselves next time we'd fly.

Starting School all over again.

2010-05-12T09:00:00.001-05:00

Jack was helping me clean out his art collection and found this coloring page from his very first day of Kindergarten. He asked if he could draw another one, and I was so surprised at the accuracy of his recreation.

I love Mrs. Brockman's hair and my green tights. His level of detail is pretty awesome, if I may say so myself.

Man, I love this kiddo like crazy.

Listen here.

2010-05-10T22:38:00.007-05:00

Sorry, but I had to laugh when I received this report from the daycare today. Click to enlarge.

"Davis has been having a listening problem! He doesn't want to clean up and doesn't listen when I ask him to come to me for something."

Really?! I don't know what she's talking about. I mean all WE have to do is calmly say, "Davis, come here." and he sprints off down the hall away from us laughing.

Doesn't want to clean up? That's crazy. We just say, "Time to put the blocks away." As soon as he hears our request, he dumps the whole container upside down.... and then sprints off down the hall away from us laughing. Seriously, she must be talking about a different baby.

He is the cutest little stinker. Every evening when I pick him up, I could just squeeze him and smell him and kiss him all over.

That is, if I could get him to come to me.

Mother's Day.

2010-05-09T14:04:00.004-05:00

I invite you to say a special prayer for our friends Josh and Cassie who, just 9 days ago, lost their little baby Samuel Jacob just hours after his birth. I can't help but think about her today as she remembers him, grieves him, enjoys sweet Natalie, and spends time with her own Mother.

Love you, Cass, and am thinking of you today.

Big Bro saving Mama some time!

2010-05-02T23:53:00.003-05:00

After much convincing, Jack agreed to take a big step to help "Team MomandDad" save time in the evenings. He thinks he's hot stuff now, taking a real stand-up shower.

Poor Davers, his bathtime buddy is officially gone.

Patient patient.

2010-04-21T11:33:00.005-05:00

He... was... awesome... and his Momma was SO relieved. I cannot wait to see the professional pictures. Here are some behind-the-scenes with our little camera (no flash) during the photo shoot yesterday at Methodist Children's. It brought back memories of visits we've had there where the mood was not nearly as light.

Simon, the photographer, was really amazing with him. As you can see, Jack sure played up the "act like you're sick" part of riding in this wheelchair.

Picture this.

2010-04-19T21:53:00.006-05:00

Today's photo shoot went really well. We are compiling photo essays (maybe 10-12 photos each) showing "A Day in the Life of..." different hard-to-fill positions. It's an exciting project, but takes me away from my desk quite a bit each day. This was the 4th of 6 photo shoots, and #5 is tomorrow. So far, we've been using other employees to pose as patients and I even found myself laying on the table in the Special Procedures room posing as a spinal chord injury patient waiting for surgery.

Tomorrow's photo shoot is at the Children's Hospital Emergency Room. For that, we need a kiddo to pose as a patient, and who better to grace the pages of the JoinMEthodist.com website? That's right... I am taking Jack Everett out of school to pose as our pint-sized patient. I called his teacher and made sure he wouldn't miss anything, and was lucky that Emily is willing to pick him up and bring him to my office at 10:30 tomorrow.

I don't know about anyone else, but there is something so special about seeing my kids at my workplace. I'm not sure just what it is, but it brings me such joy to show them where Mommy works and to show my coworkers why I do this day in and day out. They already love Jack Everett, thanks to his visits and the personalized artwork he created for each of them.

Tomorrow's visit could be different. It really could go either way. He could be compliant and totally work with me to pose for the pictures pretending to be treated by the RN we're highlighting... OR... he could get really embarrassed and hide behind my leg and say he doesn't want to do it. He is very easily embarrassed and does NOT like people bringing a lot of attention to him. (Just like his Mom.) With my bosses and coworkers and a photographer, in the ER, at the hospital... this really does have the makings of a fiasco... or a big success.

I can't worry too much about it. Whatever will be, will be. All I know is, either way, I am totally looking forward to going to work tomorrow and that is a truly refreshing feeling.

Want to see pics from our day? I'll post them tomorrow for my Facebook fans, including you, Emily... my newest fan. That'll teach you to leave your laptop unlocked...

The little guy is talking a lot more...

2010-04-17T22:34:00.004-05:00

I will try to upload some video of his new words. He is hilarious. I have had a great weekend so far.

I am so incredibly behind at work, and know I should spend hours tomorrow on my laptop going through the 156 (last time I was brave enough to log on) NEW candidates who have applied to my positions.

It's really true what they say about "A recruiter looks at your resume for about 20 seconds before moving on to the next candidate." My best advice (as if someone asked)... if there's something on your resume that makes you think,"I will explain it in the interview...", you should explain it on the resume. In this job market, with far more applicants than openings, if something needs explanation, I just move on.

Anyway. I really feel for job-seekers on the other line of this impersonal electronic process.

So what was I writing about? Oh yes, Davis using his words. And my great weekend. I am just trying to let everyone know that I am doing better. Another recruiter, Mindy, sat with me and went through a bajillion catalogs for giveaways. We are going to print "JoinMEthodist.com" on mini handi-wipes (3"x 1.5"), magnetic heavy-duty chip clips, blue ballpoint dart pens, lip balm, sticky notes, reusable grocery bags, and sunglasses holders. It felt really good to get that out of the way since it was on my long project list. Not surprising I chose the most fun one to mark off my list first.

Emily and I had a playdate today and I accidentally left my cell phone at home. I also left my laptop cord at home. It was so great to have uninterrupted time with my dear friend and the boys enjoyed seeing each other after WAY too long. We even put the kids down (all three) for naps and watched "Baby Mama" while enjoying some Chipotle takeout. Yum. When the kids woke up, we went to Kohl's and Target where I found a new Welcome Mat to go with the new flowers we planted.

Tomorrow is Part Two of our "Great Marriages" series at church. The first one was about how to be a Great Man. This one is about how to be a Great Woman. I am actually kinda nervous. In my current state of emotional overload, I am not so sure I need to hear about anything else I need to work on. But, I'm going.

...as any Great Woman would.

*ha*

Deadlines.

2010-04-14T00:30:00.002-05:00

"I will commit to you that I will call you back by close of business today to let you know if a decision has been made." It is almost midnight and I JUST remembered hearing these words today. They came from MY mouth... to a candidate who has waited far too long to hear the outcome of her interview.

After muttering this promise, I immediately sent an e-mail to the Hiring Manager with whom I had scheduled the interview. It was an e-mail follow-up to a previous voicemail, which was a follow-up to our conversation at the end of Thursday's HR Staff meeting, after which she was scheduled to interview with a different candidate for this same role.

Well, I never heard back today, but did not create an Outlook reminder for myself to call the candidate either way... and the day got away from me. The message got buried under my other twelve voicemail messages at the office number and eight messages on the cell phone. (One from the school nurse telling me that the letter on file from Jack's pediatrician exempting him from the MMR vaccine will not work for next school year and needs to come from the Health Dept in Austin.... which will require documentation from my allergist and new allergy testing...)

This particular position has 160 applicants in queue. (I meant to unpost it from Monster before leaving Friday, but... the day got away from me.... which meant 61 new applications were received over the weekend... which is sure to generate some phone calls.) I have phone interviewed a dozen, scheduled in-person office interviews for six, second interviews for two, and am waiting for feedback from the manager. I need a decision. In the meantime, I juggle voicemails from candidates who are anxious and who all feel like it is ME who can't make up my mind.

As days pass, I fear that the candidate we DO choose will be so fed up that we took so long that she might decline my offer. In this case, I can't say I'd blame her. In this economy, people are desperate. Time is money, and hope is all some of these people have left.

In the meantime, I have 26 other positions just like it.... for Case Managers, Chaplains, Administrative Assistants, Clinical Educators, Biomedical Equipment Technicians, and a weekend/evening Childbirth Educator.

I am designing and populating content for our website, (to be rolled out in May!) designing and ordering new Recruiting shirts, ordering giveaways for our Job Fairs, and coordinating professional photo shoots (1-2 per week) with a photographer to take pictures for the website... with all the CEO's, who need release forms, and Outlook invitations, and reminders, and I need to be there early to pick out pretty spots on the campus. For which I need to fill out a mileage reimbursement form. In the meantime, I am maintaining the JoinMEthodist Facebook page and Twitter accounts.... for the 2nd-largest employer in San Antonio. Since I started 90 days ago, our team of ten has hired over 600 people and received over 12,000 applications.

Can I really do all of this? Am I cut out for it? Is EVERYONE as overwhelmed in their jobs as I am? Will I learn how to manage better or is this too much to expect? When I leave the office, I WANT to leave work behind... After all, I need to think... do we have milk in the fridge? Are the boys allergic to tomorrow's daycare menu item?... Did I put Jack's bedding in the dryer? The new To-Do list begins. I turned on the laptop instead of going to bed because I can't sleep until I email this particular woman back. To tell her I still have no answer.

I will start her e-mail with a variation of how it seems I start every e-mail... and phone conversation with a friend... and regretful RSVP... and overdue visit with my Grandmama... and phone call to my Dad... and to my blog... and to my kiddos...

"I apologize for taking so long to get back with you..."

Charmed, I'm sure...

2010-03-31T22:45:00.002-05:00

Well, I am happy to report that our Charming Cheetah received a glowing report the day after my pitiful post. If I wasn't so pressed for time, I'd post a scanned copy of the report. It said that our Hungry Hippo had an "Outstanding day! He didn't cry at all! So glad that tooth finally came in!"

Thank you, Lord. True or not, the A+ report was exactly what I needed.

Still adjusting to Jungle Mania.

2010-03-25T22:38:00.008-05:00

Toddler Room, Day Four:

This breaks my heart. I knew there would be a transition period into the new big-boy classroom, but the thought of my sweet baby being grumpy, hungry, undernapped and constipated while I am at work is almost more than I can stand. To top it off, the teacher (who, according to the birthday bulletin board was born in 1988) feels that it's time to stop letting him have "woobie" at naptime.

This just doesn't feel right, but I don't know what to do. Really, is ANY daycare going to be good enough for my baby? I could move him all over town and there will ALWAYS be SOMETHING I don't like, right? Or, should I trust my instincts and say there could be something better? I mean, all week I have been praying for them to describe my charming, zany baby as something other than grumpy. I'd probably lose my mind if they marked him a Terrible Tiger! I mean, I understand the awkward attempt at animal alliteration, but who calls a 20-month-old TERRIBLE??

Why does it take me so long to come to terms with my decisions about working? This ongoing internal conflict is exhausting. When I tell myself to "give it to God" I'm starting to think I don't really know how to do that. When I think I've done it, it feels more like I've said, "just don't think about it too much or you'll get upset." When I start to get upset again, I tell myself, "Remember, you gave it to God, right?"

I am going to give Davers time to adjust to the new classroom and focus on the silver linings (he seems to be talking a little more and is getting better with a spoon...) I have to remind myself that several families at our church have had their kiddos at this daycare and love it, and they have a great reputation in the community.

If I am going to be fully engaged at work and avoid getting depressed at home, I am going to have to find some peace with this situation. The very little time I have with my boys is so precious and I am praying that I can rediscover a way to truly enjoy it.

Working on the wedding post right now...

2010-03-21T20:00:00.002-05:00

I am currently working on pics and video from Kayla's wedding in Missouri. Judging from the clothes all over my sofa, you'd think we got back yesterday, but it was last week.

Watching Kyle get married last year evoked a ton of emotions for me. (I know, shocker.) It was at that time that I remembered a book that was recommended to me by a fellow Mom-o-boys.

This book applies Biblical principles to help mothers teach sons about God's design for husbands. And I have a sneaking suspicion it might talk some about helping Moms let go one day at a time.

I know it sounds corny, but I would not write it if it weren't true. I will feel so incredibly proud and satisfied (ok, I'm starting to tear up again...) if I send my sons down the aisle one day with the integrity and respect for women that Kyle possesses.

Anyway, more on Kayla's amazing wedding in a bit, which evoked many more but different types of emotions.

:)

Tooth on the loose!

2010-03-07T22:22:00.005-06:00

Jack's recap of a most exciting afternoon...

It had not occurred to me that he was at tooth-losing age. How did this sneak up on us?

He said, "I really hope the tooth fairy brings me a quarter!!" That's our boy. He is excited to go on our trip this week to Missouri so he can be ring bearer in Kayla's wedding with his brand new smile. He's even more excited to show it to Mrs. Brockman in the morning.

So, let me ask those of you who have been through this... do you keep their little teeth?

My gut is to throw them away (as Julie gasps,) but I haven't really thought about it before today.

The job is great. Working is another story.

2010-03-03T23:52:00.000-06:00

Well, it's become abundantly clear that it is going to take longer than we
expected to get used to this "new normal."

{It is 10:30pm and Davis is crying in his crib. He has developed a bit of a habit during these weeks of congestion and sickness. When he wakes up in the middle of the night, he wants to be held and rocked back to sleep. Those who know me know that I am not the "rock them to sleep" type.

But lately, missing him like crazy and feeling grateful that he still wants me, I have been a little too happy to oblige. So, I hate to hear him cry but I know he'll remember that he can put himself back to sleep. Besides, I don't want to feed another guilt-driven new habit.}

I digress...

So, I got my new mini-van and am loving it. It's a gold 2004 Honda Odyssey. Although there's definitely a sense of, "I finally get a mini-van and now I have no time to take my kids anywhere..." I have enjoyed piling five Recruiters in it to make rounds at the community hospitals. It's funny when one yells from the third row, "Momma, can we get some air back here?"

The return to work has reminded me how hard it is to find size 12-Wide women's dress shoes. I forget how much you actually NEED to have on hand in order to go to work every day. It requires different shoes, different undergarments, more makeup, a real purse, and it's really been a long time since I squeezed myself into pantyhose. Then there's the whole casual Friday issue. Great. I need "dressy jeans."

Once again, like I do every time I start a new job, I have considered ordering five Methodist Healthcare shirts and just rotating them every week. I really would if I didn't feel so frumpy in them.

{Side note: I decided to go in to make sure Jeff wasn't waiting up on my account and he's rocking Davis in the recliner. Jeff is smiling and so is the baby. We're totally creating a monster.}

I just don't remember working being THIS hard last time I did it. I don't remember time being THIS short or me being THIS tired. Well, it wasn't and I wasn't. What is so strikingly different this time around is that I have a kiddo in school. Oh yeah, and a second kiddo. BIG difference.

The hardest thing about working is the pace we are required to keep. When I pick them up at 6:00 pm (in heels, hose, and blazer) they are absolutely exhausted, starving, and filthy. Davis has been in daycare for eleven hours and hasn't had a snack since 2:00pm. Jack has been learning and obeying for 7 hours, then bused to daycare for 3 1/2 more. I juggle an antsy toddler, his paper report telling me that he didn't eat much and had trouble napping, the fundraiser packet, picture order form, plastic bag with wet clothes from "trying to use a big-boy cup" and reminder card that he's out of wipes and needs a replacement outfit. I buckle them in and pray that I remembered to bring them a snack to eat in the car.

I unload the van and in about two minutes the sofa is covered in my purse, work papers, two hoodies, daycare papers, Jack's backpack, the diaper bag, and four shoes are flying onto the carpet as they head to the kitchen to ask what's for dinner. I hate that the first thing they hear when we get home is, "Where do your shoes go? Is that where your backpack goes? Keep your brother out of the kitchen while I try to get dinner ready."

The rest of the evening (1.5 hours total before 8 pm bedtime) looks a little like a three-ring circus and I am the exhausted ringmaster. Daddy gets home right when they have finished eating and they head to the tub. We bathe them side by side and while he gets Davis' pajamas on, he prompts Jack, "Did you brush your teeth? Did you clear the table? Don't forget to go potty one more time." This is usually when I finally change out of my work clothes. As Davis drinks his milk and Jack brushes his teeth, Jeff clears the kids' dinner dishes and changes clothes. I put Davis to bed and Jeff tucks Jack in. At about 8:15 or 8:20 we look at each other like, "we did it" and start to make dinner for ourselves. After we eat, he unpacks Jack's lunchbox, I review homework and permission slips, etc. He puts dishes away (again) while I review the daycare menu and pack egg-free alternatives for Davis' snacks and meals for the next day. We label the paper sack with a Sharpie and can finally sit down at about 10pm.

It all starts again the next morning when the alarm clock rings at 5:55am.

I certainly do not record this in a plea for sympathy or to vent and complain. I realize that millions of Moms do this every single day, year after year. I also realize that their children turn out fine. I just want to remember what this time was like. I know that "this too shall pass" and I hear that someday I will wish for these days back. The thing is, I already want these days back.

{It's 11:50pm and Davis is crying again and Jeff can't get him to sleep. I will have to finish this post another time... there's a little stuffed up blondie in footed pajamas who smells like lotion who needs his Momma.}

After writing about all of this, his Momma needs him too.

Attention Mr. Obama:

2010-02-22T12:08:00.003-06:00

Jack's response to "Ten Things a Good President Should do..."

The (future) voters have spoken.

Ride 'em Cowboy and Hook 'em Horns!

2010-02-14T23:06:00.002-06:00

More to come on our trip to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo...

"Let me upgrade ya."

2010-02-07T23:29:00.015-06:00

I finally got the stainless steel appliances, tumbled stone backsplash and built-in microwave I've always wanted.

My new kitchen upgrade even includes a super cute personal chef, always willing to serve up some gourmet coffee, potatos and Hot Wheels. In the same pot.

Luckily, Big Brother is a regular at Cafe Davers and is always a satisfied customer. Hmmm, looks like pizza in the oven. Again.

If we ever run out of oversized plastic ingredients, we make a quick grocery store run.

I am so glad Jeff finally agreed to the kitchen upgrade for Christmas. As soon as he realized how many hours it kept the boys occupied, I never really heard any more concerns about it not being manly enough.

* When I read back over this post, I realized it looks like I have a brown pile of poop in one picture and a huge pile of green poop in another. Those, of course, are a saugage patty and disproportionate plastic broccoli respectively.

Say what?

2010-02-01T22:26:00.001-06:00

I was pretty mortified yesterday at Freebirds when Stacie starting laughing as I was belting out "ANIMAL!" "AnimAL-al-al-al!" "ANIMAL!" to one of my favorite Van Halen songs. I was totally rockin' out until she told me he is saying, "PANAMA."

What?!?!

You mean for all these years, he's being saying "Panama?"

Pox day by day. Day FOUR!

2010-02-01T21:55:00.007-06:00

Day ONE (left) and Day TWO (right):

Day THREE: It's all in his scalp. SO gross. We called the school and found out his 21-yr-old teacher has it too! Poor thing. She does NOT get paid enough for this!

This picture cracks me up. He seems so glad to get his itchy clothes off just sitting there with full belly and full diaper.

Day FOUR: He's finally started scratching his scalp and he was up pretty much all night last night. Well, so I hear.

While we went to work today, Davis stayed with Sandi, a church family member who hardly knows him but totally loves him. What a blessing. Thank goodness Nana was able to take a day off tomorrow, and then Sandi's Mom... whom I met today... is keeping him all day Thursday.

I guess it really does take a village.

... as a buggie in a ruggie.

2010-01-31T21:40:00.007-06:00

Nope, we're not embarrassed. We love our Snuggies.

Jack's came with Snuggie socks. Perfect for bedtime stories. Well, story. After one, they get kinda sweaty.

So, we had to get matching Longhorn Snuggies for Uncle Trey and Aunt Tiff.

Then the clencher... Mel and I wore ours to see Avatar Friday night.

The guy behind us said, "This is the first time I have seen someone actually wear a Snuggie... IN PUBLIC."

Neither Jeff nor Van would take our pic, so we had to do it ourselves. It's such a relief to have reached a point in my life where I truly don't care what people think.

The only bad thing is, the four people in the row behind us started talking about their work in the ICU... rounding with doctors, etc. It was the perfect chance to give them a business card and offer information about Methodist's critical care openings.

However, a professional recruitment conversation hardly seemed possible in the blue Snuggie and big 3-D glasses. Maybe next time....

Out for a-pox-imately one week.

2010-01-31T20:52:00.006-06:00

The little guy got the chicken pox after all.

That's right. RSV, a mystery fever/virus, and being bitten weren't enough for Davis' first three weeks of daycare.

Here is a picture of his little back, taken this morning (Chicken Pox, day two.)

He spent Saturday whining and moaning all day, never wanting to be put down. I enjoyed the rare one-on-one snuggle time with him, but have to admit I started to feel itchy all over after a while.

You can tell the warm extra-long baths are just miserable.

In the meantime, I might as well post his 18-month bear picture. Now that I am sportin' the mini-van, the "I Dig Soccer Moms" shirt is even more fitting.

Blog Brag.

2010-01-24T16:59:00.005-06:00

I am fully aware of my own bias, but check out Jack's newest drawing of "rainforest pteradactyls." (click to enlarge.)

I am amazed at his artwork at age 5 years, 5 months old. I am even more amazed at his patience and attention span to create so much art outside of his bajillion art project homework assignments.

When he finished this one, Jeff reminded him to always sign and date his work. So, what does he write?

"From Jack Griffin to Miss Brockman. Jack Griffin 20010." Of course.

Jeff said, "Nope, Mommy and I are keeping this one!"

How in the world...

2010-01-23T12:11:00.006-06:00

... do working Moms manage it all?

I just emptied the dryer (onto the couch), my hair is wet, baby is napping, kitchen is a mess, making grocery list, on my way to a birthday party, packing diaper bag, monitoring Davis' fever, checking him for Chicken Pox at each diaper change, both kids need lunch before we leave, and Jack and I need to get dressed. I have about fifty unanswered personal e-mails and voicemails from people who mean the world to me wondering why I am not keeping in touch. I hate that, but I am just staying above water.

Tomorrow is church and then Monday it all starts again. Thank goodness I love the job itself. It's been a lot of fun so far and will certainly certainly challenge me. A lot. Yes, I wrote certainly twice.

No time to blog I guess. Can't wait for my birthday present to myself. After the party, while the kids are napping, I am calling to schedule the housekeeper.

Cue the hallelujah chorus.

Houston, we don't have a problem.

2010-01-22T11:42:00.000-06:00

Last night Jack asked me to call and check on Meemaw and Paw Paw because he heard there was a bad earthquake in Katy.

So there you have it.

2010-01-21T21:49:00.004-06:00

Jeff and I decided to compliment Jack Everett on his awesome work and let Mrs. Brockman give any feedback.

Win-win-win!

Mommy is proud, Mrs. B is happy, and Jack's first-teacher crush lives on.

On the spot.

2010-01-19T12:23:00.006-06:00

Sign on Davis' classroom door this morning at the daycare:

"We have Chickenpox!"

*sigh

Please pray that he doesn't get it, especially since he is not vaccinated against it. Neither Jeff nor I can afford to take a lot of time off work.

Silver lining: At least Jack has already had Chicken Box.

On another topic...

2010-01-17T22:30:00.007-06:00

Jack's Homework Assignment (verbatim): "Cut out a snowflake! Color, glitter, or paint the snowflake! Pretend you are a snowflake and write a creative story about your journey as a snowflake. Be creative when you write your story. Your child's story should have at least 5 to 6 sentences! They usually write more than that in class with me, so I know your child can write at least 5-6 sentences independently at home! Make sure you have a beginning, middle, and ending. Remember to capitalize the beginning of a sentence and the letter "I", use the correct ending punctuation, spaces between words, all Word Wall words are spelled correctly, and you are staying on topic! Example: When I was a snowflake, I landed on a dog's nose. I think it tickled her."

Yes. Those were (all) the printed instructions.

So, I left for the grocery store and was thrilled to see a pile of snowflakes on the table when I got back. Jack Everett then told me and Jeff not to look until he was finished with his story.

He wrote and wrote and wrote....

then presented to us...

... in "Tah Dah!!!" fashion...

... this:

(My snowflak is white I think, bekus I cant deesid what snowflak To Pick. I now you dont like the word cant! But! I love all of my snowflaks.)

(That is wie I can't choose a snowflake. so all That is wie I cant choose a snowflake. I have a snowflak for You. it is priteyest one ever. it is light blue color.)

(The other snowflakes are colord steel blue, white and yours is Periwinkle That is the colors of The Snowflake colors. i like all my snowflakes. The End.)

(Look here. Here's Your snowflak.)
Notice how the art on the side spells "Miss Brock".

He told us he "ran out of room for MAN, but knows she'll love it anyway."

Okay. Put yourself in my shoes.... given the assignment...

If your Kindergarten son handed you this 100% independently-written "story," all proud of himself...

I want to know... how would you respond?

That's my boy!

2010-01-17T22:22:00.008-06:00

The assignment was to sort 8 words into two groups - one for those with the short A sound, and one for those with a Long A sound. Then, on the back, they were to "use each word in a sentence."

Jack's response:

I can just hear ME as a sarcastic teenager, "Well, the instructions didn't SAY they couldn't be used in the SAME sentence."

It's a good thing.

2010-01-16T17:50:00.008-06:00

I was soaking in a few minutes with the boys before bedtime and we all piled onto the recliner. Well, Davis starting tickling Jack under his chin, and they started laughing like crazy sending Jeff to get the camera.

I said, "I don't really want to be in a picture like this," to which Jack replied, "It's a good thing the camera can't smell." Wow, thanks.

Now that I am working, these times are even more precious. Jeff and I keep saying, "The housework can wait."

On that note, does anyone have a good housekeeper they can recommend? If so, e-mail me. Because, actually, the housework can't wait much longer.

Davis' Cool Daycare Craft

2010-01-15T17:51:00.004-06:00

After I oooed and awwwed over how cute this craft was, Jack immediately said, "I bet he only did the hands part. I bet he did NOT cut out that penguin."

Geez, give the little guy a break.

The Kissing Game

2010-01-15T16:25:00.002-06:00

Found this letter in Jack's backpack yesterday after receiving a call from Mrs. Brockman at work. She was letting me know that Jack and a couple of boys in the class were playing a game where they were trying to kiss each other.

Uh, yeah.

Wardrobe Malfunction

2010-01-12T23:49:00.005-06:00

Per Mom's request, here is a quick pic of Davis who somehow manages to wake up with one arm out of his jammies.

His coughing has woken him up so many times tonight. However, I think our crying sickie boy has finally fallen asleep for good.

Goodnight, and pray for a good day for Davers as he goes back to school tomorrow!

Davis has RSV.

2010-01-12T07:26:00.002-06:00

Yep. Poor little guy came home hoarse and congested from school Friday. Is now on nebulizer, antibiotics and fever meds.

I am going in late this morning, Lacey is covering the middle of the day, and Jeff is coming home early.

And so it begins...

First week at a glance...

2010-01-10T13:16:00.012-06:00

Again, in a nutshell, here is a quick run-down of our first week in a new (and I use this next word very loosely) "routine."

Monday morning was exciting and I was not surprised by how easy it was to get up so early and get ready and leave on time. It felt like the morning of an early flight to somewhere fun. I took the bags and supplies to daycare, but not the baby. Jeff would take him later since he was off. I figured it would be much easier that way. They were very sweet when I got there sans baby and the director hugged me and said, "He'll get used to it. He'll do great."

I started to leave and another Mom said to me, "First day?" I wonder how she knew. "It'll get easier. We love this place. I have had three of my kids here, two since they were newborns and you will LOVE it here. Don't worry, he'll get used to it." That was so sweet and I know God placed her mini-van in front of my mini-van in the parking lot that day. [Side note: for something with the word "mini" in its name, it's rather long and somewhat difficult to park.]

I called my dear friend April on the way and blubbered about all sorts of things and she listened intently as she always does. She is so calm and soft-spoken and brings me a sense of peace when I feel frantic. She reminded me that I am not alone and wished me luck.

By the time I got to orientation I was excited, felt pretty, had it all together, was excited about my new spiral and new pen and happy to have found the parking lot on time. Then, the first speaker got up. Reverend Franklin. He started, "I am so happy God has placed you in this place today. You are here for a reason and He has great plans for you in this job and in this life." I so wanted God to show me He was with me and that I was doing the right thing, but I had no idea He'd speak so clearly. In other words, cue the waterworks. I grabbed the tissue as he went on to remind the nurses/medical providers in the room that they must never forget that "their faith in God is just as important to the healing and wholeness of their patients as any medical care they can provide." I had never been in HR in a faith-based organization and it was so comforting yet confusing at the same time.

Rev. Franklin continued, "You can convince me of a lot of things, but you will NEVER convince me that prayer doesn't work. I want you to know that our entire staff has prayed all week for each and every one of you by name." He began to call out each of our names (35 of us) with his loud Southern Methodist preacher voice. As each person walked up, he handed out his business card. I turned mine over to see "Melissa" hand-written on the back in blue permanent marker with a little cross. I just started crying at my seat and decided to quietly leave the room before people started to notice.

I ran into the Trainer, Amber, in the hallway and she saw me crying. I smiled, "First day with my baby in daycare. I know, it's silly." She said, "Every Mom in the room knows exactly how you feel. My two are in daycare and some days are really hard." She was so kind and I was a tad embarrassed knowing she was going to end up sitting two offices down from mine. "But don't worry," she added, "he'll get used to it."

I finally got myself together before the next speaker began. The 8-hour orientation went on to include a video on bedside manner which included a Mom and her newborn son in L&D, a video on medicine errors which included a Mom whose son was killed when he was given an IV with the wrong medicine, and finally, a video about a little boy with cancer. No, I am not kidding. Now, there were tons of other things in the orientation, but these were the ones that got me all emotional. I will have to write about the funny things too. Some day.

When I got home, I was exhausted. Jeff had taken Davis to school (I will join the Moms who call it that instead of daycare) around 11 and picked them both up around 4:00pm. We did dinner, bath, and bed at a rapid pace and looked at each other as we finally sat down around 9:40pm. Wow, we realized... this is our new normal.

"He'll get used to it." Everyone says that. I can't help but think, just because "he'll get used to it" doesn't mean it's good for him. Kids can "get used to" a lot of things... I decided not to think too much more about it.

I said, "I'll just have to blog about this tomorrow."

...... Okay so I guess this post turned out to be "FIRST DAY at a glance" instead.... and at like nine paragraphs I guess it was a pretty long glance.

Ay, ay, ay, ay...

2010-01-09T11:49:00.002-06:00

Here is what happens when they get away from you after a bath...

...and big brother is waiting in the living room...

...with a sombrero.

Like Julie T. said, "It's not how much time you have with them, it's making the most of the time you have."

"While you were out..."

2010-01-06T22:16:00.003-06:00

I wanted to take a picture of Davis' first day of "school" but when I got there I realized I had forgotten my camera. Naturally.

When I went to pick him up that evening I was disappointed but had resigned myself to taking a "second day" picture and pretending it was taken on his first day. As I buckled him in to leave, the Daycare Director came outside, "Mrs. Griffin, you left your camera here this morning!" and I chunked it inside the van.

Oh well.

So, when I got home, I looked on the camera and found this:

Turns out, when his teacher found the camera, she snapped this single shot for me. I just started sobbing. (Again.)

It has been a really hard few days. It's the end of a very sweet era with Davers.

It feels a lot like when I go to get another cookie and suddenly realize I have just scarfed down the last one. If I had only REALIZED it was my very last cookie, I would have slowed down and savored every single bite.

a note from jack I hope you like it‏

2010-01-03T20:55:00.004-06:00

dear missbrockman I like all the fun acktividee's we have done .I like and love you. I thingk you are the best teacher ever. after this I will go to bed. merry christmas missbrockman and A happy new year. and good night missbrockman . and night night to me jack.

If each of his classmates completed the assignment, Mrs. Brockman will have 16 more of these adorable e-mails welcoming her back to school tomorrow morning. Smart lady.

Merry Christmas, Jude!

2009-12-27T22:22:00.005-06:00

Little Jude spent his first Christmas in a big-boy crib in the NICU being held by his parents, my cousin Josh and his wife Kate. He is slowly weaning off the oxygen and feeding tubes and at 8 weeks, he weighed in at 4 lbs, 7 oz!

Merry Christmas Kate and Josh and we are all happy you got to hold and snuggle the best Christmas gift ever! Praying for you and counting down the days with you until you can bring him home.

Merry Christmas...

2009-12-25T22:32:00.006-06:00

... to all, and to all a good night!

Today was a wonderfully relaxing day at home filled with fun, loooong naps, and all four of us hanging out in our pajamas. It was JUST what the doctor ordered.

Tomorrow morning Jeff goes back to work while the boys and I head to Houston to continue Jesus' Birthday party.

Hope you and yours had a blessed day,

I had a feeling...

2009-12-23T14:06:00.003-06:00

I had a hunch Davis might not love Santa but I'm not sure what made me think that...

I can't wait to show him these when he's a teenager.

Out of Pocket. Again.

2009-12-22T23:49:00.014-06:00

After replacing my cell phone, oh, 17 days ago, I was having trouble getting used to my new one. I have not had a chance to re-enter even a third of the phone numbers from the old one, and am still mourning the pictures I had saved on it. Anyway, in a scramble to leave this morning (I wasn't running late, it's just ALWAYS a scramble these days) I strapped Davis in and had my purse, diaper bag, lunch on ice, soda, keys, bag of Target returns and cell phone on top of the car. I wrestled him in and gathered my things, filling the front seat with all the crap I carry around everywhere I go.

Whenever I am trying to leave the house, I have two options:

1. Strap the baby into the car and then go back in to get everything, leaving the kids unattended in the driveway (remember my garage door doesn't go up - at all.) Totally unsafe.

2. Load the car while Davis races to pull all of the laundry off the couch, pour out the dog bowl and carefully remove his socks, shoes, and pants. Oh, and did I mention every time I go toward the door he is trying to come outside with me and I can't close the door for fear of smashing his fingers?

3. Plan ahead and pack the diaper bag, lunch box and car the night before. Fill sippie cups and snack trap beforehand and have it ready in the fridge. Like I said, two options.

So, the inevitable happened today. Of all days. I gathered my things from the car trunk lid and drove away only to discover an hour later that I had driven off with the cell phone sitting on top of the car. The neighbors Jorge and Ballardo later helped me search the street for it to no avail.

I went on all of my errands anyway, which included my daily chiropractic appointment (during which Jack told the doctor "Mommy sits with a crunched over back and Daddy tells her to sit straight."), a pediatrician appointment (during which Jack was diagnosed with croupe, and after which he spilled hot chocolate down his dress shirt.), a trip to Bass Pro Shops (hence the dress shirts) to see Santa (during which Davis screamed his head off and pooped his pants. Literally.) and an unplanned stop at HEB (to buy diapers since I realized I left the entire diaper bag at the aforementioned pediatrician's office.)

When we checked out we had to pay for (I KID YOU NOT) an empty milk bottle, an empty chocolate milk bottle ("since that's not fair that HE gets milk and not ME") an empty Dr. Pepper bottle, an opened box of Honeycombs, a banana peel, an opened box of Pampers, and opened Baby Wipes. Oh and a sippy cup wrapper.... from the full milk cup in my son's mouth... that had not been washed. "You might be a redneck, IF..."

And, even though I thought of him several times today, I never called Dad to wish him a Happy Birthday. Man, I really hate that.

It is SO hard to recover from these days when my helper doesn't get home until 8:30 at night every night. This week has been stranger than fiction. I told my friend Victoria you just can't make this stuff up. And all of this after Friday...

... when I lost my keys at the school after Jack's class party. And Sarah had to come get me, Jack, Davis, stroller... and took me back that night to get the car only for me to discover that the keys were in the ignition the entire time. Not only did I never see them there, but the teacher searched, an announcement was made, the custodian searched the cafeteria... the whole nine yards. Think it can't get worse? Well, the keys were not only in the ignition, they were in the on position. As in, I was listening to the radio and running the A/C while getting the stroller packed before getting Davis out. And never turned it off. Meaning the car was dead. So, we had to go back to Sarah's to get Ken to come help me jumpstart the car. At midnight.

I drove it around for ten minutes listening to K-LOVE all teary-eyed wondering how long it would take for this to become a funny story and how exactly I was going to tell Jeff about this one.

I told him. A few days later. He was kind, but I wouldn't exactly say he thought it was funny.

So, all of this to say.... don't call my cell phone. Or my home phone for that matter... unless you are calling to tell me you found my cell phone. Or inviting me to Girls Night Out. Or coming to bring me dinner, clean my house, or babysit. ha

On the bright side, my back is feeling better and we were able to get this:

We are still focused on the Reason for the Season... through it all...

Where have I been?

2009-12-16T23:13:00.013-06:00

I haven't posted an update because I feel that I need to write a really long post explaining everything that's going on. Because I have no time for said really long post, here it is... as Austin Powers would say, in a nutshell.

Jeff was finally required to leave the Training Manager position at Bjorn's and return to the sales floor "until the economy turns around."
This means long hours, weekends, and more importantly, 100% commission.
This means I need to go back to work full-time. Like, yesterday.
This means Davis will be in daycare. All day. Every day.
This also means I have to give up my awesome part-time job in the Children's Ministry at Gracepoint.
Amazingly, a former colleague (gotta love HR networking!) called me up to discuss a Staff Recruiter position at Methodist Hospital. Wow!
I interviewed, loved the team, and was offered the position.
I accepted the position starting January 4th, 2010.
Daycare is reserved at a cool $840 per month. Jack will take after-school van from Scobee to daycare every day (with a couple of his friends.)
Then we had our car accident.
The "investigation" is on-going, and our car is determined a total loss.
We have the rental until Friday. (meaning I have two days to clean the back seat since it's already covered in milk and crumbs.)
Thank goodness my Mom and Jeffry offered us their third car until I can get my first paycheck.
Funny (not funny) thing was, the day we picked it up from them, Mom got into a fender bender on the way home from work. Thankfully, her car is driveable... for now.
Then, in an instant, Davis had my flip phone in each hand. As in, tore it into two parts. As in, all information is deleted.
So, I finally got that all straightened out, but am SLOWLY restoring my address book. Manually.
My back is still killing me, but I am finally feeling some relief after my third chiropractic treatment today.
So, I am basically sitting under four piles of paperwork... one for injury claims... one for my new job... one for the daycare (thanks egg allergy) and one because I am the Kindergarten room Mom and the Christmas, er, Holiday Party is Friday.
We decided to nix the full-size Christmas tree since I knew I was pretty much flying solo this month and didn't have it in me to keep a dimpled blonde busy body out of it. So, we have our little three-foot table top tree up and strung some lights on Jack's bedroom curtain rod. Voila! Winter Wonderland at the Griffins!
Last night, Jeff got home at about 8:50pm (tonight it was 10:10 before he came home) and we heard this loud CRASHing sound in the garage.
It didn't take us long to realize the spring busted across our automatic garage door opener.
Great. We added it to "the list" right after the living room ceiling fan stuck in the ON position and the house phones which don't hold battery charge. *sigh*

So, it seems like it's just one thing after another... after another. I am trying to keep my spirits up and taking steps to avoid becoming totally depressed. I am determined not to miss the magic of Christmas. I realize that my trials are so trivial compared to those others are facing. I realize that I am so lucky that I usually have help from my husband every night. These few weeks of "going it alone" are just another huge reminder of ALL that he does for us and what he means in our lives.

I attended a webinar at the Hospital today about "how HR uses Twitter to recruit talent." It was exciting to get dressed up again and be in that corporate environment again. I enjoyed all of the tweet jokes and the corny HR humor. I had almost forgotten how much fun that is. I know deep down I am going to enjoy so much of it, but I know Davis has no idea how much his little life is about to change. There is no way to prepare him (or myself.) It will be incredibly hard dropping off the boys on that first day... especially after having Jack home all day every day over the holidays. I get all teary eyed just writing about it.

So this turned out to be a long post after all. That's okay. It sure beats paperwork!

I can't (with my back) sit in this chair any longer to correct the spacing and indentation. Oh well.

Oh yeah, and follow me on Twitter!

@MBGRecruitSA

So far I have one follower. My new boss.

:)

Funny strange or funny Ha-Ha?

2009-12-15T21:47:00.005-06:00

There are many people on whom my humor is lost. Well, misunderstood, maybe. It seems that either the person doesn't "get it," the timing catches them off-guard, sarcasm is mistaken for insensitivity, or it's basically an inappropriate time for silliness.

That said, I am anxious to see how Jack's teacher likes her Christmas card.

I couldn't resist.

First Kinder picture

2009-12-12T17:00:00.003-06:00

Given that he cut his own hair on picture day...

... I think Jack's first Kindergarten picture turned out pretty adorable. He said "Mrs. Brockman had to comb my hair in the front with her fingers. Two times."

God bless her.

What's in a name?

2009-12-12T16:15:00.004-06:00

Jack: "Mom, how come you always write 'MBG' instead of your name?"

Me: "It's just faster than writing out my whole name."

J: "Yeah, it takes like one minute to write 'MBG' and like a hundred minutes to write 'Melissa Bethlehem Griffin.' [pause...] Wait, what's your middle name again?"

Jack and the box.

2009-12-07T00:00:00.003-06:00

Homework Directions: Write a Christmas story that includes each of the five senses we studied this week. Be creative!

Jack: "I don't know what to write!"

Me: "Well, think about Mary and Joseph... what do you think it smelled like in the stable?"

J: "Mom, a Christmas story doesn't ALWAYS have to be about Jesus! Sometimes you need to think outside the box."

Sad SAD commentary.

2009-12-03T22:11:00.004-06:00

Overheard at SONIC Drive-thru today:

Me: "I will have a large half-diet, half-regular Dr. Pepper and a white milk."

Employee over intercom: "Are you driving a different car today?"

The gospel according to Jack.

2009-12-02T23:05:00.013-06:00

After I reminded Jack Everett that he would receive three gifts from us for Christmas:

Jack: "That's because Jesus got three gifts, right?"
Me: "Right."
J: "Because there were three wise men, right?"
M: "Right."
J: "And they just brought one gift, right?"
M: "Yes. And we give gifts to remember that JESUS was the REAL gift.... the GREATEST gift of ALL, right?"
J: "Yes, but do you know what I wish?"
M: {...thinking, "There's no telling..."}
J: "I wish there were a LOT more wise men."

"Let every heart...

2009-12-01T23:14:00.005-06:00

... prepare Him room."

Tonight we began the season of Advent... twenty-four days of anticipation. I imagine back in history... people were awaiting the coming of the Messiah with child-like excitement.

I imagine they felt like Jack when he hung the first little camel and immediately said, "I wanna do another one!"

That little Jude's a fighter!

2009-11-30T22:43:00.006-06:00

Almost five weeks ago, my cousin Josh and his wife Kate welcomed this little guy into their lives much earlier than expected...

Jude Joshua Murray was born on October 20, 2009 at 27 weeks gestation. He weighed in at 2 pounds, 3 ounces and was 13 and 3/4 inches long.

He was going along pretty well but has developed a serious condition called NEC. We all know it's best if I don't attempt any sort of medical explanation, but from my limited understanding this disease attacks his intestines and can cause serious damage or loss of vital parts of his digestive tract.

He underwent surgery this week to correct the NEC and it went pretty well, so he's back on the long road to recovery. Our entire extended family has been keeping up with his progress thanks to Facebook, the hospital website, Sprint picture mail... it's really pretty amazing how technology makes it feel like he's not so far away.

11-14-09: Kate got to dress her tiny little guy for the first time. He looks so warm and snuggly and she looks like such a natural.

Davis was in the NICU for one short week during which Jeff and I watched young couples just like Josh and Kate caring for tiny preemies in isolettes. We watched them coming and going, bringing milk to feed the baby, taking turns touching the baby with one fingertip, asking questions, watching their baby sleeping, wanting to hold them, to nurse them, and to take them home.

Josh and Kate seem to be holding up well, but I ask everyone reading this to say a little prayer for them today. Pray for their energy... that they stay healthy... for peace of mind with all the BIG decisions they have to make regarding Jude's care... and for my Aunt Shelly, Uncle Michael and Great Aunt Sue as they cope with being away from their son and first grandbaby/great-grandbaby.

Thanks everyone, and I will post updates as Jude continues to grow!

The many faces of Davis J

2009-11-29T23:01:00.015-06:00

"Yes, I've always been this loud."

The eyes and shirt say it all. Click to enlarge - that last one cracks me up.

Someday he will discover that this diving board also plays music.

I know the blog has been pretty Davis-specific lately, but the accident has really caused me to re-open my eyes to the amazing joy that is this blonde little boy. I just can't stop kissing him and holding him and smelling him. It feels like just this week I noticed how hazel his eyes are.

Thank you God for refreshing my attitude towards parenting him. He makes me laugh more and sigh less. Thanks for replacing much of my frustration with grace and humor.

I'm just sorry it took an accident to get my attention.

Hospital pics.

2009-11-28T15:19:00.004-06:00

I took these cute pics (on my cell phone) of Davis trying to escape the E.R. before his CT Scan.

Trust me, little guy. No one wanted out of there more than Mommy...

Big D gave us a post-accident scare.

2009-11-25T18:31:00.009-06:00

For a few days after the accident, Davis was extremely fussy, had little appetite and was sleeping a lot. With a 16-month old, it is so hard to tell what is wrong. He is cutting teeth, his muscles could be sore, he is on antibiotics for his ear infections, he has a diaper rash, his Mommy is stuck on a couch with painkillers and heating pads, and the country seems to be going socialist. Any one of these things is enough to make him cry.

But Sunday he developed a new symptom that started worrying us - he was sensitive to light. We thought we'd keep an eye on it, but when he took a FIVE-HOUR nap Monday morning, I decided take him back in for a CT Scan.

Four hours of wrestling him later, the results came back and his brain looks totally normal. The scan did, however, show that his nasal cavities were swollen and infected and his right ear infection was back. Praise God! The little guy had a bad sinus headache! This explained the sleeping, fussiness and sensitivity to light. With great relief, to say the least, we took him home. Well, took him to fill yet another antibiotic, then took him home.

As you know, I love to find humor in otherwise stressful situations. Well, when I got home and started reading the discharge paperwork I had to laugh at the nurse's choice of words. It pretty much said, "Spastic psycho Mom brought her son in for a CAT SCAN because of a cold."

Yeah, I'm laughing now. Let's just pray that GEICO pays for it.

A bit of a wreck.

2009-11-21T21:25:00.008-06:00

For those who don't know, we were heading to meet Emily and Evan for lunch Thursday morning when Davis and I were in a car accident on 1604/Bandera Road. The other driver ran her red light and hit us at the end of our left turn. Our car spun around and when we came to rest, Davis' carseat was laying competely over on its side and he was screaming his head off. Thankfully, as soon as we lifted him out of the car, he immediately stopped crying and seemed okay. He had a minor seatbelt bruise on his neck/left collarbone and some faint markings on his right temple. Jack Everett was at school and Nana went to pick him up while we headed to the hospital.

The other driver, a woman in her fifties, was truly apologetic. She started really crying as she helped me get Davis out of the car. We hugged and I assured her the baby would be okay. I really felt bad for her, but was relieved when she admitted, "I was trying to beat the light." Two witnesses were willing to give recorded statements about her light being red.

We were both checked out at Methodist Hospital and were sent home within a few hours. We feel very lucky and know God protected us from real harm. I am extremely sore because (as we have established) I am no longer a spring chicken. My neck and back are painful and stiff and I have been alternating heating pads and muscle relaxers to manage the discomfort. Davis was uncharacteristically fussy Thursday and Friday but his appetite and cheery disposition seemed to return this morning. He has been taking unusually long naps, but Ask-a-nurse said that is to be expected.

When I got home from the hospital Thursday night, a note was waiting for me, "For Mom and Davis, I hope you feel betor from the hospital. From Jack"

My '99 Honda CR-V. If this had happened just a second sooner, she would have smashed directly into Davis' door. Instead, the rear quarterpanel took the brunt of the impact and his door was bent in only on the corner. The rear axle is bent and the right tire is angled in quite a bit. We are awaiting a judgment on liability and a determination of whether the car is totalled (which we fully anticipate due to its age and condition.)

Mom took me today to replace Davis' carseat, which will be covered in the insurance settlement. I got emotional at Enterprise Rent-a-car, again in the Babies 'R Us carseat aisle, and again when Mom got into her car to leave. I am still shaken up but am overcome with thankfulness when I stop to think about how much worse it could have been.

Tonight at dinner Jack said, "We better not spend any of our money. If the car people say they can't fix your car, you can have ALL my money from my money book. If not, I will STILL save my money from my money book. Just in case."

It was a sweet natural invitation to remind him that as we wait, we trust that God will continue to provide ALL of our needs.

"When did THAT happen?"

2009-11-19T09:45:00.009-06:00

I often (QUITE OFTEN these days) find myself wondering when things changed for me. When did it happen that I became less cool and more old? When did I start using terms like "square" and "shenanigans?" When did MTV Real World go from entertaining me to making me sad that these children are not getting wise counsel from their parents? When did I start feeling like Lisle and Hahn on KISS FM were offensive? When did I start paying attention to the Speed Limit? When did I start checking the Weather Channel? When did I start caring about Healthcare Reform? When did I start feeling like the neighbors need to turn down that music!? When did I start wondering where those teenagers' parents are? It's gradual.

When did I start feeling like 9:00 was too late to START something? When did I start using coupons? When did I start thinking that movie is too inappropriate or that random girl's dress is too short? When did I start caring about the cost of parking? I had a job interview the other day and when she walked in... it was a girl from my high school. Class of '98. SHE's interviewing ME?! She's just a kid! Oh wait. I use words like IRA and Flexible Spending Account. It's also starting to become harder for me to get up from sitting on the ground.

Anyway, these specific moments hit me every once in a while to remind me, "Holy cow, I am a grown-up. I am really not that cool any more!"

Well, I had another one yesterday:

When I spoke about Food Allergies as the guest speaker at the PTA Meeting.

SERIOUSLY?

Davers just can't catch a break.

2009-11-17T09:56:00.007-06:00

Poor Davis has gone from having H1N1... not being able to shake the cough... to pneumonia... total congestion... and now has a double ear infection... sleepless nights. It doesn't help that he cut two new cute-but-crookedy bottom teeth in the middle of it all.

He is on yet another antibiotic, but is acting much happier today. He pretty much whined incessantly all day yesterday and wanted to be held, put down, held, put down, held for hours.

Please pray that he gets better before the "regular" flu comes to town. We missed last Christmas with RSV and want him (and us) to be able to truly enjoy the season this year!

"Look, Mommy! It's a picture of..."

2009-11-15T21:58:00.009-06:00

Let's play a game!

Add a Comment to tell me what Jack was drawing in this picture. (Click to enlarge if needed.)

No peeking at others' comments before making yours!

Give me a revelation...

2009-11-14T16:41:00.012-06:00

"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Luke 11:9

It's amazing how many voices I hear when I am trying to make a potentially life-changing decision. I spend time praying about it, but seemingly so much more time going back and forth, weighing options, crying, making pro/con lists, soliciting opinions from friends, and eventually (of course) calling my Mom. It's hard to decipher between God's voice guiding me, Satan's voice discouraging me, and my own voice trying to control the situation. I want to be still and listen but sometimes wonder which voice I am actually hearing. The voice I have the hardest time quieting is the one that simply requires me to shut my mouth.

Today, thanks to the absence of children, the wise counsel of an honest friend, and (of course) a talk with Mom, I have finally been able to spend time in prayer and truly listen to Him. I do recognize God's voice when I block out everything else. The time I have been spending with Him in recent months has made His voice that much more recognizable to me. I have finally, today, asked Him to speak to me and have given myself the opportunity to listen.

God,

Tell me what to do! Make my next move FOR me. This economy scares me. Remind me that we are not living in the world's economy. We are living in Your economy where you promise blessing for obedience. You keep your promises. I am sorry when I don't keep mine. The noise confuses me. I get ahead of myself and way ahead of You.

Thank you for continuing to pick up our little family when we take the wrong road. You dust us off and place us back on the path, time and time again. I want to follow the path I feel you are telling me to take, but I can't see around the corner. That's the part that gets me into trouble. I really want to know what's waiting around that corner before I take another step.

Today I am saying "I trust you." I trust that you have something better for us and I am taking the next step. I still don't know what awaits us, but I am grateful in advance for your abundant provision. What I do know is that with this first step, I am drawing closer to you. I thank you for the peace that has already come over me this afternoon. It's a peace that passes all understanding.

Again, just like you promised.

Veteran's Day Flag Ceremony

2009-11-12T16:20:00.016-06:00

It is important to us that our boys be patriotic. We are committed to teaching them to honor and remember those who serve in our United States Armed Forces to afford us the freedom we enjoy.

My boys have four grandfathers who are U.S. Veterans and I want them to really understand what that means. I want them to know that being an American is a blessing, an honor, and a responsibility.

That said, I was excited when Jack came home from school Monday asking to invite his Uncle Van to the Veteran's Day flag ceremony to be held Wednesday morning. I was even more excited when Uncle Van accepted his invitation. It was a short EARLY morning ceremony that I will not soon forget. I hope it meant as much to Van as it did to Jack Everett and to me.

Here are some pictures and videos from the event:

Uncle Van and Jack waiting outside his classroom for the morning bell to ring.

The children all gathered outside around the flag pole. Not sure if you can tell, but Van is the one in blue in the middle of the crowd. The Boy Scouts raised the flag to begin the ceremony.

The students recite "The Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag", followed immediately by the Pledge to the Texas Flag. ("Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.") ... in stereo...

After the choir sang the National Anthem, a fifth-grade student read his letter to a soldier in Afghanistan. Between his letter and a little girl's poem about Heroes, there were a lot of sniffles and Kleenexes in the crowd. The kids were silent and reverent.

Here is the end of the line of about 20-25 military men and women (retired and active-duty) introducing themselves to the children. All branches of the military were represented.

The principal, Mrs. Gorsche (in the white pants) told the story of how her late father, a World War II Veteran, used to come with her to her Veteran's Day Flag ceremonies at her Elementary School when she was a little girl. As if I wasn't emotional enough already...

The choir then sang Peter, Paul, and Mary's "If I Had a Hammer" to end the ceremony. Uncle Van then joined the other honorees in the school library and Jack presented him with a card he made for him.

Ceremonies like this are important. They are worth the trouble, the early morning, the chaos, and the energy. It is the very least we can do to train our children to honor those who have sacrificed so much for us.

Thank you, Van, for taking time out to help us teach Jack Everett this important lesson.

"Well I got a hammer, and I got a bell, and I got a song to sing, all over this land. It's the hammer of Justice, it's the bell of Freedom, it's the song about Love between my brothers and my sisters, all over this land."

We honor you, our parents and grandparents:

Jarrell B. Griffin, U.S. Air Force

Billy Earl Lynch, Sr., U.S. Air Force

Albert T. Melton, U.S. Air Force

Eddie Ray Phillips, Sr., U.S. Air Force

Halloween photo overload!

2009-11-08T21:36:00.022-06:00

When going through my Halloween pictures, I cannot BELIEVE how many we took. Holy moly. But it takes that many to get one of the little guy facing the camera! So, in lieu of a Halloween album, here is a long string of pictures to capture the Fall fun.

First stop... The pumpkin patch with Mom and Jeffry!

G.I. Jack (5 years) and Davis-o-lantern (15 months). I still can't believe these boys are ours.

Between choosing the perfect pumpkin and keeping Davis safe, in sight, and in hat, it definitely took all three of us to manage the situation. "Who me?," he says...

What a difference a year makes.

Second stop: Wal-Mart!

Actually, I accidentally forgot to pack a change of clothes in the diaper bag so he had to wear his costume into the store. I did not, however, forget to pack my digital camera. Imagine that.

Third stop: Playdate with our new friend Caitlyn (6 months)... at Evan's house!

Davis was thrilled to take his picture while the blue-eyed little Love Bug sat there like a lady. Evan had his costume on for 2.2 seconds so we had to wait to snap pics a few days later.

Fourth stop: Carving the Jack-o-lantern with Daddy!

Jack, big shocker, did not want to get his hands dirty, so he took a spectator role as I scooped and Daddy carved this flaming Jack-o-lantern face. Yes, Julie, we "cheated" and used a stencil from the aforementioned WalMart trip.

Fifth stop: Alli Jean and TJ's house for a photos on Halloween morning!

Although this is is what most of the pictures looked like, we actually managed to get a precious shot with Spiderman (TJ, 3) and Daphne from Scooby Doo (Alli Jean, 4).

Gotta love Alli's orange wig and TJ's blonde curls sticking out from under his Spidey mask. Alli calls Davis "Davers" and it's so sweet.

Sixth Stop: Annual trip to Daddy's work on Halloween afternoon.

For some reason, Jack got nervous when we pulled into the parking lot and suddenly didn't want to wear his costume inside. I totally know the feeling. I felt the same way before I rang the doorbell at Darin and Marilyn's Halloween party dressed as a school teacher in a sparkly Christmas vest with wooden apple button covers on my khaki skirt.

Seventh and FINAL stop: Trick-or-treating!!

We met up with Dino-Evan (2) at 6:00pm to Trick-or-Treat. I explained to Jack that he would receive candy to which he is allergic, but that we would separate it all out later. I told him to just be polite and reminded him that this is about the fun... not about the candy. At the very first house I heard him say, "Actually, I can't eat that kinda candy." With a tiny bit of further explanation ("Don't worry, Mommy will eat anything with peanuts.") we were back on the road.

Davis got out of the stroller every once in a while to enjoy the action.

One of the most creative homeowners set up a driveway bowling alley where kiddos got one piece of candy for every pin they knocked down. It was definitely a crowd favorite.

By about 8:45 pm, we were in for the night.

It was a lot of fun, but as I do every year on November 1st, I felt a huge relief that it's over.

Now we can focus on Thanksgiving and boy do we have a lot to be thankful... er, um ... a lot for which to be thankful.

(I just couldn't end a sentence with a preposition, let alone an entire blog post.)

A good sign.

2009-11-07T09:00:00.008-06:00

Davis is starting to communicate even more - beyond his traditional pteradactyl shrieking across the house. Here's Mommy trying to get him to perform all of his signs and words in two minutes. It's funny how he is looking for me behind the camera and doesn't want to say night-night because I might just take him up on his request.

He definitely prefers movin' and shakin' to chittin' and chattin'. Here is his little communication repertoire thus far:

Signs: Please, more, thank you, all done, light, down, and my favorite, when he smacks his forehead when we say, "Doh't!" Oh, and hi and bye.

Words: Uh-oh, Da-da, Ma-ma, Bubba, Dawg, down, Nigh-nigh, and of course, "No no!"

Sounds: Rahr (for lion or dino) Woof-woof (for dog), cak-cak (for duck), ooooo (for cow), Pbthhhbtht (for spitting all over his collar.)

Luckily he has a best friend around who has quite the extensive vocab! If only they had more time together.

Lovin' on Lacey!

2009-10-31T16:35:00.000-05:00

Jack sure misses his cousin Lacey now that she's away "at the college." Here are some pics of recent visits:

Jack and Lacey at "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" in San Angelo. This was the trip where he got to catch a movie AND catch the flu.

This is a picture of Jack running into Lacey's arms when she surprised him outside his Kinder classroom. I love how his feet are off the ground!

Lacey and Jack in the Scobee cafeteria. She enjoyed getting to meet his little friend (and partner in mischief) Devin.

Last night she came in for Halloween and they enjoyed hamming it up at dinner.

We miss you Lacey! Thanks for taking time to see us when you come into town. I know one little guy who especially appreciates it!

Have a safe trip home tomorrow,

Daddy MacGyver foils Davis' plans

2009-10-31T09:16:00.005-05:00

With a little plexiglass and black velcro, Jeff successfully diverted Davis from one of his favorite activities.... turning off the home theater gear with one click of the Monster Power surge protector. The audio/video guys reading know just how bad that is for a system. For Moms reading, let me just say when he does that, the DVR stops recording right in the middle of The Biggest Loser... or Oprah... or 18 Kids and Counting. Which you don't realize until later when you go to watch them...

We'll see how long it takes Davis to discover a new favorite pasttime. He keeps us on our toes but he's so stinkin' cute while doing it.

Just what the doctor ordered...

2009-10-29T23:17:00.005-05:00

Davis suddenly likes the breathing treatments....

... now that they include random snake attacks to the tummy sprinkled throughout.

Hmmm, I wonder why WE never thought of that?

Yet another reason big brothers are SO incredibly handy!

Welcome to this world!

2009-10-28T23:01:00.004-05:00

At 11:13 am today, my best friend Sandra and her husband Trevor welcomed daughter Bruenn Marie Clark into their family. At a healthy 6 pounds, 7 ounces, the little lady came a bit earlier than expected... when she was ready! Sandra's Mom and sister missed the delivery by one week but can't wait to fly up to Virginia this weekend to meet the newest addition.

I can't make this about me, so I won't drone on about how I wish I was there with her. Instead I will be grateful for the Internet which allowed me to see these precious photos taken and shared just hours after her birth. (And I might just keep my eye out for an "I wasn't born in Texas but I got here as fast as I could" onesie.)

Welcome, Bruenn*! Your parents are amazing and you are one lucky girl. Your four girl cousins will keep you outfitted in the most adorable wardrobe and your family events will be filled with little playmates. "Auntie M." cannot wait to meet you in person. I love you already and look forward to introducing you to my boys.

I plan to make every effort to be as big a part of your life as possible to span the miles between us.

You have had a big day so sleep well tonight. Your Mommy and Daddy need the rest!

* pronounced "Brew-in" :)

Old flu, new monia.

2009-10-27T23:02:00.011-05:00

Davis' nagging cough leftover from flu week has now turned into walking pneumonia. Here he is receiving his second breathing treatment.

We woke him up from a deep sleep to administer it after witnessing how hard he fought it at the doctor's office. He cried at first but after some rocking and a few verses of his favorite lullaby, he was out. It's amazing how much one treatment clears up his breathing.

He is on antibiotics to clear up a bronchial infection as well. So, the little guy is still on the mend and hopefully won't wake up as much during the night coughing... Which means we should ALL be getting more sleep tonight.

Cafeteria Calm

2009-10-27T22:49:00.005-05:00

Hmmm, it was amazing how calm and well-behaved Jack's little circle of friends were when I stopped in to have lunch with Jack today. I wonder if the angelic behavior came as a result of the stern talkin' to several of them had received the night before, the new assigned seats with an empty chair in between each of them, or the watchful eye of the unexpected parent visitor.

Whatever the reason, it was hard for me to imagine this group of darling little cherubs engaging in the activities described on my son's behavior folder the day before.

Mission accomplished!

Hook-up expert... That's him!

2009-10-27T18:00:00.002-05:00

Showing off Jeff's upcoming public appearances...

My favorite is the seminar he's giving on November 11th called "How to hook up..."

All you guys out there, mark your calendars!