The Legend Lives On!!

They say that if you wait long enough, despite your best efforts, you will see yourself turn into your parents one day. While there are many aspects of BOTH my parents personalities that I would love to wake up with there are always those occasional odd things that my parents did while I was growing up, that I laugh at and tell myself...I just can't see myself doing/saying that.

Well...one of those things happened last night! When we were growing up and we wouldn't eat our dinner, my Mom and Dad used a number of methods to convince us to eat. The two that I remember most were my Mom telling us that our spaghetti, peas, beans...whatever it was we were refusing to eat, would cry, if we didn't eat them. I think I remember her even actually telling us she could HEAR them crying. Well...being the "guilty conscience" person that I am...that generally worked on me when I was little, or at least until I realized that my Mom really couldn't hear my peas crying!

The next tactic was one my Dad used. He would tell us that if we didn't eat he would have to get out the "Big Spoon". Lucky for us, and probably lucky for him, none of us ever had to HAVE the big spoon. I don't know what was so scary about a big spoon, but NONE of us wanted to see my dad heading towards us with a big spoon in his hands. My Dad has since admitted he really didn't HAVE a big spoon, nor does he remember why he thought of this as a threat, it just for whatever reason seemed to work, so he stuck with it. It's been something we have all laughed about for years!

Well...I have since been blessed with a child who on a good day eats maybe one meal a day, and the things that he will eat are embarrassing to admit! He is worse than a picky eater...he is just simply NOT an eater!

Last night was no exception. We had taco salad for dinner, and he normally likes taco's, but he decided last night that he didn't like them. We were all finishing up, and Keric still had more than 3/4 of his dinner left on his plate! The next thing I knew I heard "Do you want Dad to get the big spoon!?" come out of my mouth!

Well it was bad enough that I had said it...but I wasn't about to also not HAVE a big spoon, so I told Chris to go and get the big spoon! Poor Chris..it probably should have been "Do you want MOM to go get the big spoon", but being the good husband that he is, he followed through on my threat, and got the big spoon.





It sadly wasn't as effective as I hoped...he did take a couple of bites from the big spoon, but not enough to make much of a dent in his plate.

I guess I will just have to keep holding to the Dr.'s advice of "He'll eat when he's hungry" and try not to stress out about it.

But until then...I DO have a big spoon, if anyone wants/needs to borrow it!

What happened??

I used to be such a blogger...and I have really slacked off lately! My excuse...well I don't have one, I can only say that I'm sorry for being such a slacker, and I say I'm sorry mainly to Chris who seems to be my only reader! :) Oh well...at least I know ONE person misses me when I'm gone from the blogging world.

This past month has been somewhat of a hectic one! It started out with Cam and Reag heading back to School and then Chris leaving to the Philippines for a couple of weeks to start his "new job" with Amazon. I guess with all of that, time just got away from me, and I haven't kept up the blog! :) I have scrapped some of the pictures I took this month, so I guess I'm not THAT horrible.



I was a little nervous about being home with Bubby for two weeks, so I took the chicken way out and threw Bubby in the car and drove out to see my Mom, Dad and Cicily. The car ride itself wasn't too bad, but I was more than happy to get out of the car, and so was Bubby!



We had a GREAT time, and it made the 2 weeks really FLY by! :) While we were in Wyoming, we rode along with Mom, Dad and Cicily up to Washington to attend Berlynn's blessing. I never truly appreciated how LONG of a drive it is from Powell to Moses Lake! I used to kind of think Boppy was a wimp for complaining about it so much, but I have to say...it is one MISERABLE drive!! I feel for ya Bops! Never again will I think you are a wimp! :)

One of the great things to do in Moses Lake is to go to the Farmers Market. Washington really does have an amazing selection of produce! I'm totally NOT a fruit lover, but I have to say the apples my Mom bought there were AMAZING! I could learn to like apples if those were the ones I was eating all the time! Keric of course was horrible at the Farmers Market. I didn't bring my stroller, and so that meant he was "free!" By this time he had figured out that Daddy was no where close, and he was really pushing my buttons. My mom of course saved the day and bought him a bag of Kettle Corn as big as he was, and that kept him entertained for the rest of the shopping time! :)



It was so much fun to meet Baby Berlynn, and also to see Roman and Iree. Keric loved playing with his cousins, even if he and Iree are both a little too head strong for their own goods! He asked where they were several times after we got back to Powell!







We also got to see Danna and her family, which was fun too! It was kind of like our own little mini reunion!

After getting back from Washington we spent a few more days in Powell. I got to see some good friends, and also go out and visit my Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa Hopkin of course made it a point to take Bubby out to see the animals. Seeing the animals has kind of become somewhat of a tradition I guess. :) Bubby loved the chicken's and the cows! He made sure to even talk to them very loudly I might add, in their own language. The funniest part was, they usually mooed and bak baked back at him! haha





It was a nice relaxing few days before we had to get back in the car and make the long journey back home!

Sadly, however we DID have to get back in the car, and make the long trip back home. I learned quickly that Icee's and "Race" made the ride a lot more bearable for both of us! I didn't think I could listen to Cars one more time...but as long as Keric was happy and quiet, I lived through it!



Chris came home the next day. We went and picked him up from the airport. It was so nice to see him home safe and sound! Keric was so excited to see his Daddy, he couldn't even say anything! He just sat in his seat and kicked his legs frantically! It was so cute!

We picked the kids up after school, and Chris of course showered us all with tons of gifts from the Philippines! It was nice to have the whole family back together again...until the NEXT time Chris has to leave the country, but guess we won't think about that today!

New Lights!

I have been wanting to replace some light fixtures in our house for a long time, and thankfully I have a husband who is nice enough to humor me and my silly requests. Poor guy has been gone ALL week long, and I know buying light fixtures and installing them was probably #99 on his list of top 100 things to do, but I'm grateful he did it for me anyway! :)

Last night we went on a "date" to Home Depot, and bought some new light fixtures! I was so excited! I guess that is when you know you are TRULY an adult! When you get excited over light fixtures! haha

I should have thought to take before AND after pictures, instead of just after, but trust me...the ones before were ugly! They were brass and old, and just didn't go with my stuff!

So...Chris let me pick out some new ones, and he put two of them up last night. The third one goes in the stair well...and we are still trying to figure out how to get him up there without breaking his neck! :) I'll post pictures of that one when it gets done.

So...here are two of my new light fixtures! I know they aren't the best pictures...the sun is kind of bright right now, so I may have to take some more and replace these, but you get the idea for now!

Kitchen:




Piano Room:





Thanks Honey!!! I love you! :)

Lesson Learned!

So I learned a very valuable lesson yesterday! I guess in all fairness I usually learn at least one, probably ten lessons everyday, but this one was one I had not expected.

The lesson was: Don't mess with Bubby and Daddy's "Depot" dates!!!

Maybe it was all the "dates" that Chris and I went on to Home Depot when I was pregnant, or maybe it's just simply that we, and by we I mean CHRIS, has been working on the basement since before Bubby was born, and therefore has made many a trip to Home Depot, but Keric has ALWAYS loved Home Depot!


(December 17, 2009)

Often times there are days when we just don't really leave the house much, if at all, and Bubby gets antsy and wants to go "bye-bye". This often times means a walk around the block, or a quick trip to Maverick or Wal-Mart. The funny thing is sometimes he will specifically ask to go to Depot.

Because he loves it so much, Chris will often times take him when he goes, and they kind of have little "Daddy Bubby dates" to Home Depot. Apparently Bubby takes this time with his Daddy very seriously!

Last night Chris had to go to Home Depot, and asked if I wanted to come and look at light fixtures. So I rode along. When we got there, I could tell that Bubby was kind of fussy and upset. Chris put him in his little race car cart and we headed towards the light fixtures. Every time I would try to push the cart, or even TOUCH the cart, Bubby would scream "NO MOMMY!" Then he would start to cry for his Daddy!

Chris was the ONLY one who could push him in the cart, and if there was ever a time when we were kind of by ourselves and Chris was looking at something, Bubby would push me and say "NO Mommy! Go!"

It was very OBVIOUS that I had crashed a party, and was not wanted! I was a little hurt and offended that he was so upset that I was there, but I have to admit that it kind of warmed my heart a little. I know he is little, but I LOVE that he has a special little place that he considers just HIS and DADDY'S!

I guess next time I'll just stay home! :)

Quiet Little moments

Last night Mama Anne invited us all up for dinner and Smore's. I had YW last night, so I didn't get up there until about 9. By the time I got up there I could HEAR Keric screaming in the back yard when I got out of the car! One can only imagine what he is screaming about on any given day!

I went inside and found him standing at the Hot Tub crying and watching the other kids "swim". Swimming lessons may not have been such a great idea after all.

The rest of the night consisted of lots of chaos, frustration, and yes...screaming from Keric.

When we got home, it was late, and Chris and I both commented on Keric's behavior and "what are we going to do with him?!"

The kids went upstairs to get jammies on, and I got Keric ready for bed. I was cleaning up and trying to get everyone in one spot so we could have family prayers. When I went into Keric's room, I found him kneeling at his little bed saying his prayers! He's never said his own prayers before. Sometimes he will repeat what we say to him, but tonight he was doing it all on his own. I could only make out a few little words, like Mommy, Daddy, Chompie, and Nae (Cameron and Reagan) but it brought tears to my eyes.

He said his big hearty "AMEN" and then grabbed his puppy, jumped in his bed and pulled the covers on top of him. I think it was only then that he realized I was standing in his doorway watching him. He gave me a BIG toothy smile, and then closed his little eyes real tight and said "Nigh Night".

He is such a big boy now, and all in all, such a SWEET boy! I know I have my moments with him, and there are days I wonder if my future holds days in Principal's offices and nights of curfew violations, but once in awhile there is a quite little moment where I am reminded of just how sweet he really is and just how lucky I am to have him!

"This Too Shall Pass"

I've had somewhat of a hard week, and a hard day. I maybe shouldn't use my blog to talk about it, but who better to support you in your times of sadness then the people who also support you in your times of joy?

I have had the phrase "This too shall pass" going through my head all day long. The funny thing is that this phrase "haunted" me my whole teenage and young adult life. I hated it when my Dad would tell me that, but I also knew he was right. The most comforting part about hearing it in my head all day, is that I not only hear the saying, I can hear my Dad saying it! How I love that man!

This WILL pass, and I WILL be OK, maybe just not today! :)

Last Day of Swimming! We Passed!!!

Today was Bubby's last day of swimming lessons, and I have to say I'm not all that sad. :) It was a fun week and a half, but I was ready to be done. Even though our lessons were at 9 a.m. it seemed like by the time we did lessons, came back home, showered, got dressed and ready for the day it was already basically noon, time for lunch and then time for his nap! So I sort of felt like that 45 mins took up my entire day!

Based on his performance the first day of swimming lessons, I would never have predicted that he would turn into such a little fish by day 9, but he has. He LOVES the pool, and loves playing in the water! He has gone from being petrified to get into the pool, to almost having no fear!

There were a couple times when I thought about just skipping lessons, but every morning when he would wake up he would say "Mommy, a water?" How can you say no to that, and how can you say no to that little face!?!

When we would pull up and get out of the car, he would RUN all the way into the pool with the biggest smile on his face!

He learned lots of songs and lots of new tricks. It was so funny to watch him in the bathtub doing his tricks.

He got really good at blowing bubbles, although he didn't always do it when the teacher asked him to do it, of course. He learned how to kick his legs in the water, and even move his arms once in awhile. He hates being on his back, he doesn't like having his head in the water, but even that he was getting better at. He learned how to push off from the side of the pool and "glide" in the water (with help obviously). He learned how to throw the little diving stick toys into the water and pick it up from the bottom. I was amazed at how he could contour his little body enough to pick that thing up without getting one part of his head or face wet, but he did it! :) His FAVORITE part though was jumping in! He LOVES to jump anyway, and he got pretty good at jumping off the side and into the water. He still won't let go of my hands, but he jumps in like a pro as long as he can hold on to me. He stands at the side and counts down and then when he lands in the water he yells "I did it!"

Since today was the last day, they let the kids play in the pool for the last 10 mins or so, which basically means they turned on the water slide. I was adamantly opposed to going down the water slide with him! In fact last week his teacher took him down because I refused to.

It wasn't so much that I am scared of the water slide. I can handle going down it alone, but going down with a little kid is scary!

Several years ago when Chris and I were first married we took Cam and Reag to the pool. She was a little older than Bubby, but not much if I remember correctly. She wanted to go down the slide with me, and like an idiot I agreed to take her. I still remember going down and that feeling of "Holy crap this is going fast, how am I going to slow down!" I don't know who freaked out first, me or her, but long story short, we both ended up being sucked under the water and I remember hitting the bottom of the pool and swallowing a lot of water! Well...that was the end of the slide for poor Reagan. She was traumatized and so was I! She didn't ever want to go down the slide with me again, and I didn't blame her.

Well, try as I may, I wasn't getting a lot of support in my decision to not go down with Bubby! In fact Mama Anne called me this morning and offered me $20 to go down the slide with him! Well...$20! That can go a long way when Payless is having their $5,$7 $9 sale! So I told her I would do it.

I asked his teacher and a few of the other mom's what the trick was to going down and not getting sucked under. They gave me a few pointers, but all in all it boiled down to how much you weighed. Well...I'm a LOT fatter now than I was when I took Reagan down, so I thought if weight is the issue, I had this one in the bag for sure!

We walked up the stairs and I sat down with poor Bubby. I told myself I was fine and we could do this, but in the back of my mind I kind of knew it wasn't gonna turn out well. I had total control until the last turn. We got thrown way up the side of the slide and I couldn't regain my balance! Of course it's the last turn and I could see the pool coming. I held onto Bubby for dear life, and tried to lift him up so he wouldn't get pulled under, but it was no use. Down we went!

I will never forget the look of total shock on his poor little water soaked face when we came back up! I grabbed him and tried to make sure he was ok. At least I had hung onto him, so I knew he hadn't hit the bottom or anything like that! I was sure he would start crying and making a huge scene because he had to have swallowed as much if not more water than I had. But leave it to Bubby to turn any situation into a comedy...he looked right at me as serious as can be and said "Mommy, again?"

Needless to say we did NOT do it again, but I at least feel no guilt for not taking him down the water slide, and I also know now that no matter HOW much I weigh, I'm just not built to take kids down the water slide! The next time he goes will have to be with his Dad, or when he is tall enough to go alone! :)

We got dried off and his teacher gave him his little report card.



We passed the Mommy and Baby class, so he can now go onto the pre-school class next year, which thankfully I will not have to do with him! :)

I'm glad he has learned to love the water, and not be afraid! I'm glad I forced myself to sign him up against my "better judgement" (ha ha) and I'm also glad that I swallowed my pride, got into a bathing suit 9 days in a row and took the class with him. It was fun to spend that time with him, and fun to watch him learn!

Congratulations Bubby on passing your swimming class! May you pass many many more and become a MUCH better swimmer than your Mommy!! Truth is, you already may be! :)