Good-bye Sweet Little Mullet

I am not a fan of MULLETS.  You, know the hairstyle with business in the front and party in the back. Yes, I grew up in the 80's, so I sported one in my younger years...but they were not called MULLETS back then.  At least to my knowledge.  If they would have been called that, I might not have had one!  But anyway, my precious daughter has been sporting a little mullet for a few months now.  It wasn't really a hairstyle for her, just the sweet way her hair had decided to grow in.  And, I just didn't have the heart to cut it off.  Afterall, it was the bulk of her hair!  But, it was really beginning to look unkempt.  So, in a quick moment (without daddy present) I decided to let her great aunt Moi give her a trim!  I am glad I did, as I know she needed it.  I am not sure Daddy was impressed as he just thought it was cute!  Besides he said, you sure can't ever put it back!!  He is right....but now I am waiting patiently for those nice long locks of hair to replace it!!!

What a Birthday!!

Today was my middle man's 5th birthday!!!  And he had a day! 

Here, I have been in the bed since Monday with strep throat.  Finally was diagnosed yesterday and have been on antibiotic just long enough to feel human again!!  So, I was thankful to be able to get his presents wrapped in time!

His daddy went to bed last night with a low-grade fever so first thing this morning he went to get his throat swabbed!  Daddy was negative for strep, but was given the antibiotic anyway!!

A few hours later Daddy took BOTH boys for their well-checks at the peditrician's office.  And while he was there he mentioned mama being home with strep.  So, the dr. felt around Nate's neck a little and ordered a strep test for him.  He tested POSITIVE!!  So, she ordered the test for the birthday boy!  It took daddy and the dr. holding him down while another nurse held his nose to get him to open his mouth for the swabbing!!  (yes, I am very thankful I have a willing daddy to take them to the dr!!) And by the way, holding his nose didn't even work.  He had that jaw clenched!!!  Daddy had to tickle him!!  Poor little guy!  But, now, here he is:
5-years-old!!

3 booster vaccines in his leg, 1 shot in his bottom for the POSITIVE strep test, 1 throat swab and 1 finger prick!!  All for a 5-year-old!!!  I bet he doesn't ask for another 5th birthday anytime soon!!!  He handled it like any 5-year-old would!! And daddy took him for ice-cream afterwards!  Now he is only limping a little from the pain in his leg!!!

Not My Best Mothering Day.

Today wasn't the best day around here.  We had two, yes, count them, two mishaps with a big brother.  The first one was a t-ball bat encounter!!  And now my precious girl has a shiner!!  I, of course, am battling the guilt of it happening!  I was busy trying to get doggy droppings out of the yard so the two of them could play without that type of trouble!!  And I didn't realize she was so close to him and his bat!  He obviously didn't realize it either.

Then a little later the little baseball man ran into HIS bigger brother on the scooter and gashed his face!  

Old Habits...

...die hard.  Isn't that how the saying goes?  We are trying to break some habits around these parts.  And one of them is our baby girl sucking on that pacifier all day long.  Now it is limited to bedtime and car rides!  She is handling it pretty well and will volunteer to leave it in the bed most days.  But, if you are not careful she will go back in her room in a little while to retrieve it.  Even though I was one of those pre-parent-days-non-parent that swore I would have my children broken from the pacifier by age two.  (yes, humble-pie is eaten here every day!)  I have not been too serious about getting rid of the pappy too soon with any of my children.  All three of them have been very addicted and so far we have broken two at a later than average age!  And I don't think they are any worse for the waiting!  So, for now, we are going to just limit its usage!  I do believe that this time last year I was DREADING Andy's 4th birthday because he was scheduled to give his pappy up on his momentous day!  He did just that and gave up napping all at the same time!!!  No tears either...just a little fuss over it.  I enjoyed those napping days.  And I have missed that pappy more than he ever did!!!  Besides our orthodontist friend says he can fix anything!! 

Only Love Can Break a Heart...

...and only love can heal it again!!! 

My dad's chocolate lab died last week.  She was about 13 years old and such a sweet dog.  She got cancer and it took her quickly!  Her passing was hard on my sweet daddy.  He is such a tender-hearted soul.  (I love that about him!!)  Some years ago he told me that "Only love can break a heart, and only love can heal it again."  I believe that is pretty true! 
So thanks to my oldest brother and a generous parishioner in his church family this is my daddy's new love!

She is a sweetheart!! 

We still miss "Cajun"!  And I am sure we will for a long time. She was a good dog!  But, it is nice to know that God can use a sweet puppy to help heal those wounds!

Valentine, oh Valentine!

Where did you go?  The day came and went without much show!  I was not surprised as our life moves along at a sonic pace.  But, still disappointed in the lack of blaze. 

Forgive me for my poetry!!  But, my Valentine's Day was just another day here!  I know I am VERY loved, but sometimes the demonstrative side of my family (husband) is a little lacking!!  Don't take this as a complaint though...because I would NOT trade my man for anything!!  Besides I did get a very sweet card. 

Nonetheless, here is my precious girl all dolled up for the day!!  I would share pictures of the boys here too...but dolling them up isn't much of an option any more!  Thank Jesus for little girls!!  Can I get an AMEN?

No Judgement, Just a Little Giggle

It is a pretty good sign that it is FINALLY time to wean your child when she sees a bra hanging in the store and says: "Milk, Milk, MILK."  Funny, huh?  Pray for me as I let this part of her infancy go. (slowly still!!!)