Smart People

So sayeth the sign.

Welcome to Lake Azar

This is our backyard when it rains. Even if its a tiny rain (unlike the day I took this picture), we still can't let the dogs out the back door. Kind of funny huh.

What a week for the little man

Joey's had one heck of a week. He's all growed up.

Lets see - where to start:

Well, last THursday, I had him down on his hands and knees, trying to see if I could give him a few crawling pointers. He almost had it - but then instead, figured out how to sit up on his own from his hands and knees position. I was amazed. I didn't quite think he had it all down because he was a little shaky, not really knowing how and where to put his little arms to stablize his weight, but he proved me wrong on Friday afternoon when I went to get him after his nap, and he was sitting straight up in bed. Gooooood work. Now's he just been showing off.

Now that he knows how to sit up on his own, he's been doing it CONSTANTLY. I can't get him to lay down anymore unless he's REALLY tired. He just pops right back up, and laughs.

Next, he's been climbing on me a lot when I hold him. He's been standing on me and pulling himself up using his hands on my shoulders with his feet on my lap. Well - the other day, I walked in to get him after his nap again, and he had one knee propped up, one hand on a crib slat, and his other arm slung over the side of the crib, trying to lift himself up.

We lowered his crib that night.

His little personality has come busting out this week too. He's been so reactive and respondent to everything around him already of course, but MAN, this week is unreal. He's imitating, and coming up with crazy noises and funny faces. He's a sticky fingered little sucker and can't keep his hands off things. Anything with buttons he wants to grab. He'll sit up in his play pen and study all the items up close. He stares into a mirror and talks. He talks to the dogs. He's just over the top. I have tons of pictures to post, but I'm tired. Heading to bed.

Annie's coming to visit us this weekend. I CAN NOT WAIT!!!! Oh, so many crazy stories to blog on Monday.... :)

Hockey ... One of the things I'm gonna miss.

You know, i was cruising through some of my phone pictures today and caught a glimpse of some of these great moments in Nashville Predator hockey history that Joe and I were fortunate to witness. There's nothing like a great hockey fight.... check this out. At one point, EVERYONE on the ice was one-on-one, knocking the heck out of each other....



And the next moment, everyone is in TROUBLE!!! Nothing on the ice, but sticks and helmets.



If anyone out their watches or keeps up with Predator Hockey, it was Jordin Too Too who started it - surprise, surprise.

Check this out - another great moment - 4 in the can!!!



Aside from hockey being our great date night, I'm just going to miss the fun. I just got used to the game (didn't take me long to fall in love with it, especially with the killer seats we had). We may have to cruise back for a game and take Joey. He'll LOVE IT!!!!

Would you believe....

... that Starbucks is raising its price of lattes AGAIN? Its going to raise $.09 per drink. That's not that much, but in the grand scheme of things, that's pricey. Gosh doggit.....and we're finally getting one. But you know...it'll be a little getaway for me more than a daily visit. I still like Mr Coffee at home, and I still have figured out the secret of making my own soy chai. I'm good.

Little Town Selling Point

When we first were looking at this little town as our new place to live a little over a month ago, I thought "Its a cute little town...can I see our little family here? Can we make this transition from one million people to six thousand?" It wasn't my first time living in a small town. I've actually spent about 75% of my life in towns less than 8k. But once you live in a larger city (and enjoy it), as well as have a chance to travel abroad outside the states, there's a chance that you are more susceptible to cabin fever. One thing that was my escape in my big city was the coffee shops. Even when I went home to Iowa, I was relieved to find a new little coffee shop on the square that had tried once, failed, and then tried again, and is so far succeeding (the farmers are finally ok with ordering grande non-fat no-whip vanilla soy latte with cinnamon and ginger sprinkles, believe it or not - and paying $3.50 for it).

Well, when we were scoping this town, I noticed immediately that this little town did not have a coffee shop. BUT - I was informed that, LO AND BEHOLD, a Starbucks was being built on the west side of town.



And the choir sings.........

Apologies for the crappy picture quality, but I had to take it quick and in motion on a fairly busy street.

We were out running errands Saturday and I was quite perturbed that no one was on the site working. They are taking forever...... :) Meanwhile, I'll be ok .... the Kroger here actually carries the Tazo Chai Tea that I require to survive.

We're getting a Walgreens too. Maybe a Chili's? Lots of lots cleared for new stuff - maybe we'll get a Michaels. Please please please please please........ :)

Eternity in a new light

..."There are no less days / To sing God's praise / Than when we first began." - Amazing Grace

I've sang Amazing Grace a million times, but just like God's word, you hear something new pop out of it every now and again, and hit you in a new way. And today, when Joey and I were singing this song, I sang this line to him, and it just dawned on me. The "foreverness" of it has always made sense to me - but the beauty of the way that this line was written is something I never really noticed or appreciated - and it just makes the promise more vivid and imaginable.

Just had to share that...... I hope it hits you all the same way.

Lonesome howlers

One day, i jumped out of the shower to this...... Happy and Rudy were singing a lonely tune one day, waiting for Joe to come home from the road. How funny is this?

Bath Time with Joey!

Joey had a BLAST spashing me the other night in the tub. :) Check it out!

Temporary and "spotted" negativity

Hey all - I'm sorry about my recent negativity - I promise that its only temporary and only in spots. This blog wouldn't be real if I didn't just release some insight to every angle, right??

To my anonymous poster #1 - thank you for your insight and your link to MOPS. I'm going to DEFINITELY check it out. You're the best. Many prayers and blessings to you.

To my anonymouse poster #2 - thank you for your comments and messages. I do know who you are, and I miss you dearly. I'm not sure how to respond yet to your messages (or if I will - as Joe would not be so happy with me if I did, but we'll see....) so please bear with me as I hear from the Lord on if I should, and the words to use. Know that I heard my heart break in half that day we last spoke, and that I miss you much, and pray for your family each day of my life, and will be praying more fervently for your hubby and son, of whom I call my family, still. I'm still confused on so much, but I'm sure you've "heard the story" of what's happened since that day. Pretty shitty the way it happened, but you and I both know it was an answer to prayer, mostly for Joe. Just pray that it works it self out. It breaks my heart that I'm 30 minutes from you now, instead of 5 hours. Bear with me...