My Oldest

Do you have a child that pushes you to your limits of parenthood?

I do.

His name is Max.

His name is spoken from my mouth more than any other word each day.

"Max, please..."

"Max, NO!"

"Max, why??"

He has more energy than his little body can contain.

He is too curious for his own good.

His creativity could challenge even the Greats.

And... he is as smart as a whip.

He is simply one of those kids who is hard to keep up with.

But, I know why God blessed me with this one.

He makes me a BETTER mom.

He pushes me to open my mind and accept that my child is special and unique.

He pushes me to change my perspective...

"Everybody is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."

-Albert Einstein

Dumb Phrases Annoy Me!

Are there words or phrases that just get under your skin?

I have several...

"I don't mean to be offensive, but..." (Uh, yes you do!)

"You can't afford not to..." (Actually, sometimes you really don't have the $ CAN'T afford to.)

"Everything happens for a reason." (...or by chance or accident or really crappy circumstances?)

"Whatever." (or, I cannot come up with a witty comeback.)

"Money can't buy happiness." (Then you've never been broke!)

"I could care less." (translation- You couldn't care more. Is that what you meant to say?)

"Better late than never." (Ugh, this is for the habitually tardy and it's FALSE!)

"It's better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all." (Come on! Really? It's better to have wasted time, money, your pride and have your heart broken into million pieces than to never have met that person?)

"110%." (100% is not good enough?)

"The Devil is in the details." (Isn't there another saying? "God is in the details." So, which is it?)

"Cross my heart and hope to die." (What the?)

"To be honest.." (So, you're usually lying to me?)

Some are unnecessary and some are just plain aggravating, but if you catch me saying any of the above, you have permission to slap me silly!

Happy Halloween

What's With Trees & Little Boys?

Above the patient bed, hung this cute painting.

How appropriate was this?

Well, since we were there because MY little monkey decided to climb a tree of his own, it was VERY appropriate.

BINGO

I made this Bingo game years ago when I taught school.

I recently found it when I was going through my old school tubs.

It has kept my kiddos busy, busy, busy.

I found some other cute versions here and here and here.

Halloween Mani

Elle loved these candy corn nails we painted on yesterday!

They were surprisingly easy.

Go here for instructions.

Busy

Our days are flying by.

Now that school is in full swing and the kids' activities are back up and running,

my head is spinning.

The boys are playing basketball again, so Saturdays are officially game days.

Calvin has now joined his brother as a Cub Scout and he loves it!

Elle is having a ball in gymnastics and I am waiting for another ER visit with her.

She is fearless and determined.

And, I finally got around to putting Elle and Calvin in tennis.

I'm pretty sure they are both going big places in this sport (at least that's my plan)!

Anniversary

We made it through our first year together as man and wife.

I love this man more than I can express.

We celebrated our anniversary with dinner at Olive & Ivy in Scottsdale...

A perfect night with the man of my dreams.