show me the CHEESE!

Just my boys being silly.

What do you do?

Let me start off by saying I'm a tell it like it is kinda girl. If my husband irritates me, I tell him. If a friend says something that rubs me the wrong way, they will hear about it. I take pride in the fact that I normally confront disagreements with a gentleness.That being said, I am still human and on occasion I am to blunt and have hurt the feelings of those I love. All this to say I need your help.

Today when I picked Malachi up from school a lady approached me saying "are you going to pick him up from school everyday?" To which I replied, I will be picking him up 90% of the time. Clearly she didn't like this answer as she continued with a dramatic eye roll and said "Then you NEED to call transportation and let them know." And with the my conversation with her was over. Malachi's teacher then stepped in and ever so gently offered a few options and said she could call on my behalf if I wanted her to.

When I got in my car I found myself getting angry about that way this lady spoke to me. I've never met the women and felt like she came out with guns blasting (little does she know I have cat like reflexes..HA!). When I got home I immediately called the bus barn (where it got that name? I have no stinking idea.) to discuss our plan. I also sent a quick e-mail to Malachi's teacher so she was aware I took care of it. Now I'm left wondering if I should say something about the way I was treated by the mystery lady, or do I let it fly and move on. I want to say something so she doesn't think it's okay she takes to me that way but on the other hand is it really that big of a deal? What to do....

While I blog

I'm sitting at my computer by the window while I type this. Malachi is at school, Elijah's is looking at books in the play room and the dogs are sleeping at my feet. While the inside of my house is calm, there is a storm raging just beyond the the window. The wind is blowing the rain hard against the window pane. Thunder shakes the house and the lighting provides a glorious show. There are birds hiding under our deck trying to find dry shelter and our neighborhood bunny who finds rest next to our pool is missing.

Many people fear these types of storms, but not me. They serve as a beautiful reminder of the past 3 years of our life and the storms we have been through. The storm right now came quickly, dark clouds filled the sky and made their way over our house. The rain poured down in buckets, thunderclaps were strong and the lighting flashed. But soon this storm will be over. The grass will be refreshed with a fresh drink, the flowers will stand straighter and bloom again. The clouds will roll out relieving the bright blue clouds and the sun will reheat the earth. The birds will fly again and the bunny will take it's spot in the yard..that is until the next storm comes and brings with it the rain that was so needed.

Yes we have had MANY difficult "storms" over the past 3 years, but just like any storm, the sun always came back out and we were strengthened and refreshed. Right now things are going great but I trust that a storm is lurking somewhere just waiting to move in and when it does we will be ready because we know the joy that lay on the other side!

Oh the places He'll go....

"Oh the Places you'll go!

There is fun to be done!

There are points to be scored.

There are games to be won.

And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the wining-est winner of all!

FAME!

You'll be famous as famous can be , with the whole wide world watching you win on tv...."

"Except when they don't, because sometimes they wont.

I'm afraid sometimes you'll play lonely games games too.

Games you can't win cause you'll play against you.

All alone, whether you like it or not, alone is something you'll be quite a lot.

And when your alone, there's a very good chance you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.

There are some down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.

But on you will go though the weather be foul.

On you will go through your enemies prowl.

On you will go through the Hakken-Kraks howl.

Onward up many frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak."

"On and on you will hike. 

And I know you'll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are. 

You'll get mixed up of course, as you already know.

You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.

So be sure when you step. 

Step with care and great tact and remember that life's a great balancing act.

Just never forget to be dextrose and deft. 

And never mix up your right foot with your left." 

"And will you succeed? 

YES!

You will indeed. 

(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

Kid, you'll move mountains!"

"So, be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or

 Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'shae, your off to great places!

Today is your day!"

"Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!"

-a section of Dr. Seuss's Oh the places you'll go.

Under a rock

Yes, we have been living under a rock the last few weeks...or months. Blogging has been the last thing on my mind. Things have been relatively boring around here and coming up with ideas of what to post have become increasingly difficult. Good thing I have some WONDERFUL friend who have been so kindly bugging me to get back into blogging. Good news, I am happy to be back and have been busy catching up on all your adventures! I can't believe how much your kids are developing and growing! It warms my heart! Speaking of growing....

 Malachi with his best buddy Bryson while on vacation.

 Another one from vacation.

 Malachi enjoying some superman ice cream on his 3rd birthday.

 Elijah enjoying the walker, yes he is getting close to doing it solo!

 Malachi in the new swing set he got for his birthday!

 Look at the attitude!!

And finally, Eli trying to copy his brother.

Malachi celebrated his 3rd birthday in July which ment we said good bye to all his therapists! However in less than 2 weeks, we say hello to his new school! So not ready for that but trying to focus on the positive. I know he will enjoy it and learn so much while he is there. When did my baby grow up?

Elijah is getting more and more talkative (yes i know this is hard to believe, he is a chatter box!) he is even starting to imitate sounds! He is all about gross motor right now which makes his OT curse like a sailor. He is a eating machine and recently surprised us all when he happily scarfed down feta cheese, raw tomatoes, raw green peppers and corn beef. He is the kid you invite over when you need to clean out the fridge! Tomorrow his is being evaluated for sure steps which means walking is right around the corner!

Josh officially got hired back to teach at the same school and the same grade! He is thrilled and I am thankful! He has been teaching summer school for the last 3 weeks and has a training all this week which means we haven't gotten to see him that much. School starts on the 15th but he has inservice stuff starting Wed. next week which leaves 3 more days with him home to help! I'm sure there will be a long honey-do list! :)

I am doing well. Trying to keep up with 2 lil men can be difficult but I LOVE staying home with them! I've been busy crocheting a lot. I've been seeing all these super cute kids hats and decided that I wanted to make some as well! I watched you tube videos and quickly got the hand of it. Now I'm a hat making pro if I do say so myself. But I have another post on that coming up later this week. I will leave you with a little teaser....

A newborn hat with ear flaps and a large brown rose! LOVE IT!

Making dreams come true

Yesterday we had the pleasure of meeting Gary James from A4cwsn. He was in the midst of delivering Ipads when he decided to come to IL and meet up to personally deliver one for us! Here are a few pictures for ya!

If you haven't already, check out A4cwsn! You will be happy you did! Look for them on facebook too!!

Ps. I am not receiving anything for promoting Acwsn. Just passing along information because I am a mom who cares and wants to see more kids get this amazing technology!!