Saturday, February 27, 2010

The Sickies have left the building...

well or so we hope so anyway!

The last two weeks have been filled with stomach bugs, pink eye and sinus infections. It hasn't really been fun at all. But we all survived and I am still catching up on the housework.

We are all anxiously waiting the arrival of Spring! I think it got lost, yet March is near. March does come in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. It isn't even here yet and there has been an earthquake in Chile and a tusnami in Hawaii. And the snow that has been dropped on the US is absolutely crazy!

Next week I am volunteering at a local food bank, filling boxes to be distributed to low income families. It is manual labor that I am no use to but always makes me feel good. It is truly rewarding. I selected this organization because I know they help so many families in the St. Louis area and am donating my time and energy in memory of a very sweet little boy who's precious little life was too short. Thomas would be five years old on March 9th and every year I do something in his honor. His Mother is a wonderful, caring person and I want her to know that her little boy will never be forgotten and that I will do my part to make the world a little better because knowing her, and Thomas, has made me a better person.

Mom's birthday is also this month. I think I am going to do something for the Ronald McDonald house or family room in memory of her. I don't have the funds to just go and donate but I think I could do something small. Donate personal care items, a few toys or something they need. I am also saving the soda can tabs and will drop them off. I was always curious about the RMH since I was a young girl but never truly understood what it was until we had to use the room at St. John's when Zachary was there. Mind you, it was local and for only 2 weeks but it was a nice comforting safe escape from a scary reality and the services they provide to families is amazing. I think every year I will do something for them in memory of Mom. I hope as our financial situation improves, I can do more for them. So if any of you want to save your soda/beer can tabs and send them to me, I'd appreciate it. *hint hint*

Time for bed...Zachary is not sleeping well so I am beat!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

And progress, progress, progress...

Here we are in Februrary already and it is the month of amazing things!

Jonathan is doing great at school. His writing is coming along and the things he is learning there are truly incredible. He is so compassionate and so much like his mother. I know my mom is looking down and chuckling because the things he is doing to me, I vividly recall doing to her. I hating leaving my mom (even at 12 years old!) and would cry and make up sicknesses and here my son is doing it to me. "but my neck hurts. If my neck hurts then I have a fever and I can't go to school with a fever." Oh boy! And we he gets mad at me he yells, "Don't worry about me, worry about yourself!" and these are words I say to him. Yikes. He is tired of winter and eager to get out to the country. He also wants to go back to Alabama and Iowa to visit family. We plan on camping in Iowa in early summer and visiting the family up there. We love to camp and this way we get to visit and camp...two things we love! Once the threat of snow passes we will probably head down to Alabama. I want to get Z situated at the new day care and use to a routine before we shake it up for him.

On to Zachary...we love our therapists! They are amazing. His speech is just coming along so well. Within the past five minutes he said, "Mommy I got tail" = "mommy I am pulling Harley's tail" and he climbs on the table and then says, "Mommy up oh" = " Mommy I'm up on the table Uh oh!". He loves to feed Harley, snack with him (ha) and give him water. He now calls his cup "pup" instead of "nee nee" but when he wants down from somewhere he says, "wee wee". He even said "Pup water" = "I want water in my cup". He is goofy, loving, a prankster, attention seeker, a biter and so moody! He loves Wow Wow Wubbzy and still bops his head to music and dances when he can. He is striving to be more independent.

As for Jason and I we are just working, paying bills, cleaning and all that normal stuff. We both know how lucky we are to still have jobs and are making huge strives in knocking out some debt. It is truly a great feeling. Jason has become the manager of our laundry...he does at least 1 load a night and then will do the rest over the weekend. I have to admit, I am so grateful. I would rather do laundry than dishes but one less thing that I have to do so I am just thrilled he is doing this! I got lucky and his Momma did a good job with him! So now I strive to keep up with the dishes and cook dinner because he is doing such a good job that I can't fall behind!

A friend of mine that I met online via a moms group about 3 years ago lives about 30 miles from me. Her mom has struggled with Pancreatic cancer for about a year and half. Sadly her mom passed away last weekend. I went to the visitation and was so happy to be able to hug her. The hug was not just from me but also from this wonderful group of women that we are a part of. I know many people thing this bond I have with these women is a bit unusual. I have come to realize all the different ways that people come into our life. If you are open minded, the possibilities are endless. Even though I have never met most of these women, they are such a huge part of my life. If any of you are reading this, please know how thankful I am to have you in my life. I know one day we will all meet and the hugs, tears, laughter and wine (ha!) flow continuously...what a time we will have!

Well, Z is doing his lastest trick that his cousins Sydney and Shelby taught him and he is playing behind the cushions of the couch and will fall asleep soon so I better go.