The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

I suppose the purpose of keeping a journal is to not only record the happy and wonderful things that happen in your life, but also to record the bad. Nephi kept a record of his life, including the times his brothers repeatedly tried to kill him. Ammon recorded about preaching repentance and about his people trying to shoot him down from the city wall. Alma the younger didn’t exactly have the most uplifting track record to begin with. Abinidi being burned to death was also recorded in the most precious journal we have available, The Book of Mormon. I’m not comparing my little mundane blog to the scriptures, but here is my bummer entry:

My husband lost his job today. It seems as though one of the head honchos at the dealership has a personal vendetta against Michael and has been looking for any reason possible to get rid of him. Today was the day. I guess the thing that upsets me the most is that he wasted the gas to get out there, only to be told to go home and never come back.

I’m so grateful that I have a job, albeit part time. I’m grateful that I have spent the last few months obsessing over my couponing habit and now have quite the food storage.

I suppose now is as good a time as any to let everyone know that Mike is planning to start the Police Academy in August. He had planned on working full time and going part time for eleven months. We may take this opportunity for him to go full time and be finished in five months. It is going to mean a lot of sacrifice and a lot of patience, but it just may work.

Please try to remember us in your prayers…right now we can use all the help we can get.

In two years...

In two years, I have changed over three thousand diapers, I have been peed on, pooped on, puked on, and slobbered on. I have been used as a Kleenex, and a Jungle Gym. I have spent countless hours at the zoo, admiring elephants, giraffes, monkeys and lions. I have gone to the park and pushed the swings until my arms could push no more. I have filled my days with bubbles, books, the Backyardigans, and Baby Einsteins. I have learned to enjoy hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and macaroni and cheese. I have realized that no matter how careful I am, it is always foolish to wear dry clean items anywhere with a toddler.

In two years I have learned a new kind of love. I have experienced feelings incapable of describing in words. I have learned that my heart aches when another little person gets hurt. I have been cuddled and kissed by the sweetest little boy alive. I have had the opportunity to watch a tiny little man burst with excitement when Daddy comes home. I have learned the power of a kiss on a boo-boo. I will forever be amazed by the fact that a big hug from a little guy is sometimes all I need to make my day.

It hasn’t been an easy two years, but it’s been two of the best years of my life.

Happy Birthday, Hayden! I love you!

We got a Webcam!

Hooray! Thanks to Mr. Joshy for Mr. Hayden's webcam! We've been having way too much fun already...now all of you need to get one, too so we can see your smiling faces!

They say if you want something done...

Then give it to a busy person...guess I'll be the go-to gal this week!

Monday – I work 9-4
Tuesday – I work 9-4, Ward Counsel 7-9
Wednesday – Visiting new sisters in the ward in the morning, work 6-10pm
Thursday – Visiting Teaching, work 6-10pm
Friday – Blowing up 100 balloons and decorating for Hayden’s birthday party. 7ish going to see Prince Caspian.
Saturday – Hayden’s birthday party!

Not to mention that I’ve got to fit in grocery shopping for Hayden’s party, as well as birthday shopping, but I’ve got to go to the dry cleaners, the post office, list about 10 things on eBay, get Hayden's hair cut, prepare a lesson for Sunday, as well as get the Relief Society newsletter done for June!

Look Out, HERE WE COME!!!

It’s official! My oldest friend, Kelly is coming to Florida! We haven’t seen each other in almost two years, and that is just far too long to be without some Kelly love. We are on the phone for literally hours a day, and I still can’t get enough of her! I can’t even handle it…two years worth of not seeing each other, bottled up into one long weekend. We’re looking forward to a weekend filled with COUPONING, pedicures, chick flicks, Martinelli’s, all night laughter, and painting the town RED!

Jacksonville's not gonna know what hit 'em!

Back from the hospital...

Thank you all so much for your kind words of concern and prayers.

We left for the hospital this morning at about 6:45. His surgery was scheduled for 9:15 and we needed to be there a couple hours early for anesthesia.

When they brought us back they handed me two tiny little hospital gowns for me to put him in. Let me tell you - no mother should ever have to do that. I swear that was the hardest thing for me to do this far in his little life. Seeing him in the gowns was my breaking point.

After that we went into the 'holding room' where he played with lots of fun toys. The nurse came in and gave him some 'happy juice'. If you ever have the chance to see a drunk two year old, I highly recommend it. I laughed harder in those few minutes than I have in a long time.

Then they took him back. Through those awful double doors and around the corner. I lost it. Mike just wrapped me in his arms and comforted me. We hadn't eaten so we went upstairs to get some food. I don't know who's idea it was to put the cafe on the top floor overlooking the river, but it was a brilliant idea. There isn't a whole lot that is more serine then eating biscuits and gravy overlooking the water.

The second we got back downstairs the doctor came out to let us know that everything went well. We had to wait a few minutes before we could come back and see him. We went into a small area where they wheeled him in on a tiny hospital bed with tubes sticking out of him. This was the most difficult part.

I've heard that waking up from anesthesia is like waking up to the worst headache you've ever had...so needless to say, he was grumpy. I think the recovery took longer than the actual surgery. Once they took the IV out of his arm he was much happier.

Now we're home and he is blissfully drugged up and sleeping away in his crib.

Not such a good track record

Let’s just say Hayden has been less than perfect the last twenty-four hours.

Yesterday evening:
Daddy went outside to move the sprinkler and Hayden locked him out of the house. He was finally persuaded to unlock the door and let Daddy in, stinker.

This morning:
He decided it would be a funny little game to hide Daddy’s keys. We both had to work this morning and could not find them anywhere. So daddy had to take mommy’s car and mommy had to hitch a ride!

This morning again:
I get a call at work this morning from the sitter. Apparently Hayden determined the phone would be a fantastic toy and proceeded to dial 911…

This evening:
Our home teachers came by and my very immodest son apparently got sick of his diaper so he took it off, proudly lifted up his shirt and pointed to his manhood with a very delighted squeal.

Do ya think the terrible twos are upon us yet?

How to get rid of fruit flies

Seriously! Where do they come from? I don't have any fruit on my counter! After being sickened by them for the hundredth time I finally found a way to beat them!

Mix apple cider vinegar and liquid dishsoap. The apple cider vinegar attracts them and the dishsoap makes them stick!

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I just got the BEST compliment!!!

I was at work tonight and I asked a woman if there was anything I could help her with. She was looking for a suit, but not for a stuffy business look…something fun that would flatter her body.

As I was running around the store with her making suggestion after suggestion, she was seeming very pleased.

I know she liked me because she said, “I just feel like I’m running around with Stacy London!”

I could have died right then a happy woman.

Enjoying the amazing weather

The Zoo Yesterday:

I’m thrilled to pieces that it’s MAY and not blazing hot in Florida! Yesterday we went to the zoo with Nana and Grandma and everyone enjoyed themselves.

If you ask me, the Bonobos are some of the ugliest creatures on the planet, but they are SO fun to watch! They’re such a little family.

The Gorilla…goes and picks his food then plops himself down in a nice patch of shade to snack…typical man...

The park today:

We decided to enjoy yet another incredible day here in Jacksonville and head off to the park. Pictures for your viewing pleasure:

These have got to be two of the cutest boys alive!

Enjoying rocking back and forth
Man! Hayden's mom is camera happy today! Now tell me that's not a fantastic McDonald's advertisement!
Sharing...

...and helping

Aren't our boys great?