Zachary

My nephew died in a car accident last night. I'm still in shock. He was 19 and driving the car and was driving at a high rate of speed and lost control going around a curve. He had a friend with him and his friend died too. It's been on the news. It was over here off Hwy. N. The coroners office is still conducting an investigation so we won't be sure when the funeral will take place but we're guessing midweek. I was in fuzzy haze most of the day yesterday until I saw his car on the news...and that's when it hit me. I last spoke to him about 2 weeks and we had always finished our calls with an 'I love you'. I'm so thankful I got to tell him I loved him. I always felt close to him and I felt like a protector of sorts. I know it was impossible to predict, but God, how I wish I could have protected him from this. It's just not natural losing your child. The funeral is this Wed./Thurs up here and then they'll head down to Festus where they'll bury him next to dad.

Favorite Summer Memory

With the weather changing, I'm starting to crave summer time and think about my favorite summer moments growing up. I used to love to go boating & skiing. We went every Sunday during the summer. My dad had a boat, my older brother, my brother-in-law, family friends, and we'd meet up, set up a canopy, have hotdogs & pork & beans on the grill - wow, I can still taste the sand on my plate :) and ski & ride the water all day. I hope to pass that tradition to our family. I showed Chase some boats in a magazine recently and now everytime he sees them, he wants to go "boat ride mommy". I think I might take him out this summer on one. Well that's my trip down memory lane (thanks). What's your favorite summer memory?

We've got a climber!

I'm in a pickle. Chase will not stop pushing the kitchen chairs to get around the kitchen. He's figured out there's more to explore with a kitchen chair. I'm constantly having to redirect him away but I'll leave the room and then hear the scrapes going across the floor...thank goodness for ceramic tile. I thought about hiding the chairs in a bedroom for a while but that would be a drag to have to do that every day. Someone suggested to tie the chairs together by rope. Not too crazy about that either. I found some of those plastic wrap ties...the long ones that slide through and lock. I used those yesterday and so far they work. As I was doing it, Chase was looking at me and said "what you doing mommy?" I said "tieing the chairs so we don't move them." I think I hurt his feelings. I felt bad but I just kept thinking...I'm keeping him safe.

My Little Skater

March 4, 2006 -
I just had to comment about our little adverture today. We went to a skating party for a good friend of mine's son who turned 5. I thought it would be a quick stop in and out because I didn't think Chase, only 2, could be around the big boys and skate. Well, I was completely surprised. He and I put on skates and we were both having the best time. I let him go and and he skated by himself. Ofcourse it was with those little plastic skates that don't go backwards or anything but I couldn't believe my eyes. The owner was saying that at this age, they have no fears like when we get older and get scared that we'd fall. I wish I had my camera with me. It was such a neat moment.

He's 2

He's 2 already!I can't believe how times flies by but here it is - his 2nd birthday! We went to Chuck E Cheese this morning and Chase had a really good time. It just amazes me to think it's already been 2 years. Well, thanks for letting me brag and reminisce. My baby is now a little boy!

Everyone Poops!

I was on the phone with my mom today and Chase came in and said "mommy poopy diaper" and gave me a diaper with poop in it. It was opened and I was worried thinking, did I leave a poopy diaper sitting some where and worse yet, "why is it opened and did it get over anything else"? I asked where did you get this and looked under his shirt and sure enough, he pooped and took off his diaper. My mom and I were laughing and then I took him to clean him up. I decided to go ahead and give him a bath after I wiped him down. He was still without his diaper. Then, he decided to take a potty on his bedroom floor. I startled him and said "wait Chase" - he stopped and then I took him to the toilet. He couldn't go. He said "Chase's potty". So I went to get his potty and sat him on it. I gave him a little book to read so he wouldn't feel pressured to try to go. I left for a minute to grab some towels and came back and he got up from his seat and I saw that he pottied!!! I got so excited and congratulated him on being such a big boy. Is this a sign that he's ready to be potty trained? He's 22 months but I hear boys take longer to potty train. Should I try to continue potty training or was this just a freaky coincident? It was just a great moment for me and it was so neat to see that he peed-peed in his potty. He even got up to grab some toilet paper. Gosh, my baby is growing up and I'm so thankful that I'm able to stay home with him to share these special moments.

A Mother's Heart

This came as an email ~ something I love

A Mother's Thankful Heart

I come before You Father - To thank You for this life - The blessings You have given me - As a mother and a wife - I'm thankful for my children - As I watch them grow and play - Knowing that each moment - Will live for just today - I'm thankful for the laundry - For the dust to wipe away - I'm thankful for the problems - That make me stop and pray - I'm thankful for my husband's job - The roof above our heads - I'm thankful for our daily food - For the comfort of our beds - I'm thankful for the errands - The phone that always rings - I'm thankful for the tears we cry - For the joy that laughter brings - I'm thankful for our family's love - The way we sit and talk - The simple games we often play - The picnics and the walks - I'm thankful for the little things - That make up every day - For therein lies Your love, Lord - And the wonder of Your ways - I'm thankful for the memories - That life has brought my way - I count it as Your blessing - To be a mother every day