Show Off Your Shot

I'm proud of this one. By that I mean, the picture and the little guy.

That one sunny day.

Linking up with:

My Biggest Critic

Check out The Sea Glass Blog for my latest post.

Good Job, Pinterest!

My previous experiences with Pinterest was less than successful and more than messy. So many crafty people showing off their DIY goodies, and I sooo wanted to be in the club. Everyone makes it look so easy. I was determined to try again.

Quite awhile ago (pre-Jack), Brian & I discussed taking a woodworking class. We both thought it would be extremely cool to have family dinners at a table that he & I had made together. Well, those plans never came to fruition, and now I'm sure that we need more practice before that can happen.

I found great toy box instructions and was determined that "I can do that." After a way longer than necessary trip to Home Depot, I had all the wood. It took me quite awhile before I finally admitted to myself that I was going to need help with this project.

With Brian's direction, it only took a couple hours in the garage to whip up our toy box. I think it took me more than twice as long to finish the painting, but I'm very happy with this Pinterest Project. I think Jack is, too.

Playing in the toy box.

I had to bribe him with treats to get even this picture.

"Leave me alone. I'm busy, Mom."

Click here for the toy box plans.

Jack is Fifteen Months!

You started walking this month.That was pretty fun, and it still is. I get excited every time you take more than a couple steps, especially since you still scoot on your booty quite a bit, which is getting quite embarrassing, buddy.

You have quite the vocabulary, although there is often the need for interpretation:
"bite this"
"more this"
"no, no, no"
"uhoh"
"dada"
"dog"
"Jack"

You love brushing your teeth, putting on lotion, and playing in mom's makeup bag (Don't tell Grandpa Jim).
You love pushing your stroller around the house, and you love to connive one of the adults in the house to push you around in your stroller.
You love shape sorting, though you still need mama's help.
You love nooks, cell phones, laptops remotes and all other easily broken electronic devices that you shouldn't be playing with.
You love pbj and popcorn.
You love feeding Charlie your snacks and his snacks.

You love a lot of things, but I've realized you really love to eat.

PTL

Dad, hamming it up.

Dad received great news! At his last trip to the doctor, he learned that the test results on his tumor came back negative for cancer. All the fun chemo & radiation really paid off!

Dad will go back for follow up in 3 months. At which point, the doctors will check his entire body to see if the cancer has returned.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Dad & Lins

The grand prize winner of the $500 raffle fundraiser for my dad is Chris Landers. She lives in Oklahoma and was a high school classmate of Dad’s wife, Brandy. 

Although Chris said that she has never won anything before, she donated her winnings back into the fundraiser to help defray Dad’s continuing travel expenses and medical bills. 

His surgery to remove the tumor from his neck went very well. He will return to the Cancer Center in Oklahoma City on February 8^th for follow up. 

He hopes to return to work at McAlester Regional Medical Center soon. Dad says this experience will definitely improve his nursing skills, especially in caring for those dealing with cancer treatments.

The response to the fundraiser was phenomenal! Thanks to everyone who participated and thanks especially for your prayers.

Jack Be Quick

Jack eating cupcakes on his 1st birthday.
A rare treat, as mom limits his sugar intake.

A friend of mine gave me the greatest compliment today. She told me that I was one of the best stay-at-home-moms that she knows. I found myself remembering that compliment as I watched my 1 year old eat a sticker. It was a small sticker.

Maybe if Jack weren't such a rough and tumble little boy, I'd be more protective. Maybe I would be more so if Jack had been a girl, but I find myself letting him learn through natural consequences.

It doesn't matter how many times I say "no."  It doesn't matter how many times I pull him off the fireplace saying "danger" or try to distract him with other toys. Jack is going to smile and do it anyway. Plus, Jack learns best when he learns on his own.

For all of you who are about to call CPS, I still save my son from falling... most of the time. I just don't think it hurts too much to let him fall 5-inches from his cushion. At some level, it's important for Jack to discover a healthy respect for gravity. I'd much rather he learn from 5-inches when I'm watching than from the coffee table (which he managed to get atop of this morning) when I'm not looking.

I'm pretty sure Jack will wind up with some scrapes and bruises over his lifetime. Sometimes I'll save him, and other times I will just be there to kiss the boo-boos.