And this is Mason acting out Humpy Dumpy in the sandbox while Levi looks on in the swing:
30 September 2008
29 September 2008
Humpy Dumpy
The obsession continues. I haven't blogged about it b/c I was hoping it would be a short-lived infatuation....but I can't ignore this important part of our life any longer:
Mason loves..."Humpy Dumpy". We talk about him all.the.time. We watch him on YouTube. We pretend that we are him. We have 'great falls' all.day.long--he did this for the first time at a local park. He perched himself at the edge and said, "Mommy...whoa, whoa, whoa.." and threw himself down. Luckily, I was there to catch my little Humpy Dumpy....and he immediately yells, "I had a great fall!" Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
I have to 'put Mason back together' time and time again...day in and day out. We are driving on the freeway and every time we pass those sound barrier walls on the side of the road, Mason goes into a rant that those are Humpy Dumpy's walls. When I am typing on the computer, he comes over and says, "I need Humpy Dumpy" which means put YouTube on right now (thanks for the idea, Emily)! When people come over, he wants to show them "Humpy on the 'puter." Mason is just a tad out of control with this one and I can't get this darn song out.of.my head. And, I will pay someone to make a new Humpty Dumpty video for YouTube...they are all pretty sad and def. way too short since I have to keep replaying them over and over and over.
Mason loves..."Humpy Dumpy". We talk about him all.the.time. We watch him on YouTube. We pretend that we are him. We have 'great falls' all.day.long--he did this for the first time at a local park. He perched himself at the edge and said, "Mommy...whoa, whoa, whoa.." and threw himself down. Luckily, I was there to catch my little Humpy Dumpy....and he immediately yells, "I had a great fall!" Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
I have to 'put Mason back together' time and time again...day in and day out. We are driving on the freeway and every time we pass those sound barrier walls on the side of the road, Mason goes into a rant that those are Humpy Dumpy's walls. When I am typing on the computer, he comes over and says, "I need Humpy Dumpy" which means put YouTube on right now (thanks for the idea, Emily)! When people come over, he wants to show them "Humpy on the 'puter." Mason is just a tad out of control with this one and I can't get this darn song out.of.my head. And, I will pay someone to make a new Humpty Dumpty video for YouTube...they are all pretty sad and def. way too short since I have to keep replaying them over and over and over.
26 September 2008
Fortune Cookies
One more cool thing...I don't believe in fortunes and such...I do believe God has a sense of humor and speaks in many ways.
After a long day of purging in preparation for a garage sale, we ordered Chinese food. The 2 fortunes were as follows:
What are the chances?? Seriously?
After a long day of purging in preparation for a garage sale, we ordered Chinese food. The 2 fortunes were as follows:
:: Your hard work is about to pay off. Congratulations! ::
and
::You will never need to worry about a steady income. ::
What are the chances?? Seriously?
Speechless...Well, Almost!
Last night, the fam got all spiffy and headed off to the city council meeting. We took a seat in the third row...and were joined by our favorite people (our parents). The council rolled in, followed by the mayor. Tim was the very last resolution on the agenda. How will my 2 1/2 year old sit through this whole meeting...let alone the very sleepy and starting-to-get-fussy 8 month old..??
The mayor, in his infinite wisdom, took note of the young (and beautiful) children in the audience and bumped up Resolution 100-2008 to hire Timothy Shannon Best as full-time firefighter to the very first matter of business. We held our breath. Roll call. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. I beamed. I looked at my hubby and there are no words.
The mayor invited us up to welcome Tim 'on-board' and have him introduce our fam to those in attendance. We shook his hand and had that awkward moment where we weren't sure what to do next....
And, then, I couldn't stop myself. I couldn't help it. Something had to be said. We have been waiting for this day for so long and I couldn't let them hurry us through 'our moment'.
You see, yesterday I was cleaning out a storage closet and found The Inkspot, a Nordonia Middle School publication of short stories and poems and such. And, as I wondered why the heck I still had this, I flipped through to see how many times I was published ;-)....and there I found it: the writings of an 8th grade boy...dreaming about where he would be in 2010:
"I am 31 years old and I have two exciting careers. I am in my 10th season of playing professional hockey and I am also a firefighter. I started playing hockey when I was younger and after years of hard work I became pro. I make 7 million dollars a year and live in a huge house. My house has a pool, 300 acres of land and the best part my wonderful family is there.
I became interested in firefighting in 7th grade. A career speaker came into my class and got me interested in the field. I really enjoy doing them both." Tim Best - Grade 8
And, I had to share this with the council, the city, the world. They weren't just filling another city employee position, they weren't just giving the voters what they asked for; they were playing a role in helping an 8th grader realize his dream to become a career fireman. They were giving our family what we have been dilligently praying for for 10+ years....They were letting our boys see that your dreams can be realized. They were providing our family with an opportunity that seemed so out of reach.
I wanted them to know that they are getting far more than an employee. They are getting the 'total package' -- a well-trained, experienced firefighter/paramedic AND a man that cares deeply about people and the community. I am not sure who is getting a better deal: us or them...
Tim and I met in Macedonia. Our parents graduated in Macedonia. We learned to drive in Macedonia. We grew up in Macedonia and have watched it grow. We love its people. We know its people: hard-working families. parents. grandparents. veterans. teachers. and even a retired NFL player. We are excited to give back. To be civil servants. To educate, laugh with, cry with, grow with this city.
And we are just so darn happy. And thankful. And in awe that God has orchestrated this for our fam. Wow. Speechless...well...almost.
Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, mayor, council, fire chief! Thank you, Tim for not giving up on your dream. Thank you for your perserverence and persistence and patience in following this God-given dream.
We are soaring. I am so proud of you....I am so excited for our family! I am married to a FULL-TIME FIREMAN!!!
We are living the dream. And I don't have a picture.
The mayor, in his infinite wisdom, took note of the young (and beautiful) children in the audience and bumped up Resolution 100-2008 to hire Timothy Shannon Best as full-time firefighter to the very first matter of business. We held our breath. Roll call. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. I beamed. I looked at my hubby and there are no words.
The mayor invited us up to welcome Tim 'on-board' and have him introduce our fam to those in attendance. We shook his hand and had that awkward moment where we weren't sure what to do next....
And, then, I couldn't stop myself. I couldn't help it. Something had to be said. We have been waiting for this day for so long and I couldn't let them hurry us through 'our moment'.
You see, yesterday I was cleaning out a storage closet and found The Inkspot, a Nordonia Middle School publication of short stories and poems and such. And, as I wondered why the heck I still had this, I flipped through to see how many times I was published ;-)....and there I found it: the writings of an 8th grade boy...dreaming about where he would be in 2010:
"I am 31 years old and I have two exciting careers. I am in my 10th season of playing professional hockey and I am also a firefighter. I started playing hockey when I was younger and after years of hard work I became pro. I make 7 million dollars a year and live in a huge house. My house has a pool, 300 acres of land and the best part my wonderful family is there.
I became interested in firefighting in 7th grade. A career speaker came into my class and got me interested in the field. I really enjoy doing them both." Tim Best - Grade 8
And, I had to share this with the council, the city, the world. They weren't just filling another city employee position, they weren't just giving the voters what they asked for; they were playing a role in helping an 8th grader realize his dream to become a career fireman. They were giving our family what we have been dilligently praying for for 10+ years....They were letting our boys see that your dreams can be realized. They were providing our family with an opportunity that seemed so out of reach.
I wanted them to know that they are getting far more than an employee. They are getting the 'total package' -- a well-trained, experienced firefighter/paramedic AND a man that cares deeply about people and the community. I am not sure who is getting a better deal: us or them...
Tim and I met in Macedonia. Our parents graduated in Macedonia. We learned to drive in Macedonia. We grew up in Macedonia and have watched it grow. We love its people. We know its people: hard-working families. parents. grandparents. veterans. teachers. and even a retired NFL player. We are excited to give back. To be civil servants. To educate, laugh with, cry with, grow with this city.
And we are just so darn happy. And thankful. And in awe that God has orchestrated this for our fam. Wow. Speechless...well...almost.
Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, mayor, council, fire chief! Thank you, Tim for not giving up on your dream. Thank you for your perserverence and persistence and patience in following this God-given dream.
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
We are soaring. I am so proud of you....I am so excited for our family! I am married to a FULL-TIME FIREMAN!!!
We are living the dream. And I don't have a picture.
23 September 2008
In Action
Mason has a new game: he puts all of his cars down his shirt and lets them stack up around his middle...he then pats his big belly and says "I'm FAT!"...not sure where he got this from...but it is hilarious!
Patting his fat tummy
And out they come...
See my top 2 teethies!
Uncle Perry teaches Mason how to play SLAPJACK...
ROLE REVERSAL: Mason puts his hat on Levi...and then tells me that it is Levi's turn to sit in the Bumbo and that he, in fact, would be siting in Levi's high chair.
They were cracking each other up...
Secret Hideaway
The other morning, I told Mason to read some books while I took a shower...when I got out of the shower, I could hear his sweet little voice, but I couldn't find him. He wasn't on his bed, not on his chair, not in our room....and then I saw these sweet little feet, ankles crossed...sticking out of his closet...and there was Mason...in his secret hideaway...reading to himself...
16 September 2008
My Birthday Weekend...30 Never Felt Better!
I turned 30 this past Sunday and my loving hubby, mom, and sister threw me an 'almost-surprise' party on Saturday at a lovely local park. Luckily, we were under a pavilion b/c we were experiencing the remnants of Hurricane Ike...rain, rain, rain.
The fam was quite deceitful and almost pulled off a total surprise...even my sis, who I can tell is lying a mile away, managed every conversation without a hint of deceit.
It was so great to see my closest family and friends and share a birthday lunch and Karen Champa cake--YUMMY!! Thank you, thank you, thank you...for making me feel so special and loved on my birthday!!!
Of course, the question, "How does it feel to be 30...??" came up too many times to count. I have been busy preparing for the big three-oh...busy trying to get myself into a good mindframe to start a new decade...I started weight watcher's to shed some baby weight, got my hair cut and colored, and have been on a decluttering rampage. We have been throwing away so much and it feels so good....so I am actually happy to be 30...I am embracing it ;-)
Like I said at my party, 29 was a tough year...emotionally, physically, and spirtually...tough pregnancy, tough work schedule, tough 3 months of Levi's life, tough toddler sleeping issues, etc. This year has so many new promises for our growing fam: a full-time firefighter job for my hubby, a happy Levi, and my sweet Mason-sponge....a year of learning and exploring this world around us...together. I like where I am. I like 30. Now, 40 and I may have issues....but we've got some time to worry about that!!
Here's my verse for the year of 30--maybe I haven't been waiting as patiently as I should have been, but the Lord sure has heard my cry:
"I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." Psalm 40:1-2
The Fam...
Cuzzies...
Brothers
Sisters
Cuzzies and a fan...what more do you need??
3 Men in a Tub
I love, love how both boys are looking up at their daddy...and the way that Tim is looking down on them with such love ...priceless. These boys love each other and I love the way they love each other. There are so many memories awaiting these guys and I am so glad that Mason & Levi have Tim to teach them how to be a man's man...a real man...a family man....
The Piano Man
Dad, Linda, and Uncle Brandon came over the other night and watched the kiddos while Tim and I went out for a quiet, no-kids bite to eat (YAY--Thank YOU!!!) Ma Ma fed Levi some food...and I realized that I really haven't taken many pics of Levi eating so I snapped some. His gag reflex is def. tamed down and he actually seems to enjoy some foods--avocado being his fave right now.
He also loves to chomp on Cheerios and banana and frozen bagels...which reminds me. Levi's front teeth came in last week. One on Sept. 11th and the other one on the 12th...He has handled them pretty well, but we have had a couple of sad nights ;-(
Uncle Brandon brought his keyboard...and we enjoyed listening to his tunes. He has learned so much since June...it is unbelievable. Mason loves dancing to the tunes and pushing random buttons and Levi did, too...of course, he loved pulling himself up on the keyboard even more!!
The Best Boys
He also loves to chomp on Cheerios and banana and frozen bagels...which reminds me. Levi's front teeth came in last week. One on Sept. 11th and the other one on the 12th...He has handled them pretty well, but we have had a couple of sad nights ;-(
Uncle Brandon brought his keyboard...and we enjoyed listening to his tunes. He has learned so much since June...it is unbelievable. Mason loves dancing to the tunes and pushing random buttons and Levi did, too...of course, he loved pulling himself up on the keyboard even more!!
The Best BoysMeet Kendy
Did you know???
* 6.5 million children under 5 die every year from hunger-related diseases. That is 12 children every minute....
* 1/2 of the world's children live in poverty. That is 1 billion kids...
Tim learned these (and other) hard-to-swallow statistics while attending a men's conference a couple weekends ago. Despite 'our' appearance as a world of lattes and margaritas, there really is tremendous poverty. So, he decided that it was time for our family to do our part...a small part...to help. He came across this sweet boy named Kendy Liberte...and decided to make him a part of our family. Kendy is 6 years old and lives in Haiti with his mom and dad and 4 brothers and sisters. Through Compassion International, we are sponsoring Kendy, hopefully providing him with new opportunities to learn and grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Here are some pics of Mason with his Haitian brother, Kendy. We keep his picture on the fridge to remind us to pray for Kendy. Mason likes to talk about Kendy's life in Haiti...who knows, maybe someday we can meet him!
We would encourage each of you to help combat world poverty through the organization of your choice...and keep Kendy in your prayers as Haiti is in a state of emergency with flood levels up to 9 feet in some places. Catastrophic flooding, destroyed homes, roads and bridges, and the deaths of hundreds in Haiti from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and other severe storms have forced government officials to declare a state of emergency and appeal for help from the international community.
* 6.5 million children under 5 die every year from hunger-related diseases. That is 12 children every minute....
* 1/2 of the world's children live in poverty. That is 1 billion kids...
Tim learned these (and other) hard-to-swallow statistics while attending a men's conference a couple weekends ago. Despite 'our' appearance as a world of lattes and margaritas, there really is tremendous poverty. So, he decided that it was time for our family to do our part...a small part...to help. He came across this sweet boy named Kendy Liberte...and decided to make him a part of our family. Kendy is 6 years old and lives in Haiti with his mom and dad and 4 brothers and sisters. Through Compassion International, we are sponsoring Kendy, hopefully providing him with new opportunities to learn and grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Here are some pics of Mason with his Haitian brother, Kendy. We keep his picture on the fridge to remind us to pray for Kendy. Mason likes to talk about Kendy's life in Haiti...who knows, maybe someday we can meet him!
We would encourage each of you to help combat world poverty through the organization of your choice...and keep Kendy in your prayers as Haiti is in a state of emergency with flood levels up to 9 feet in some places. Catastrophic flooding, destroyed homes, roads and bridges, and the deaths of hundreds in Haiti from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and other severe storms have forced government officials to declare a state of emergency and appeal for help from the international community.
**For more 'you-can't-just-sit-there' poverty facts, take Compassion's poverty quiz here.
06 September 2008
If You're Happy and You Know It...
Levi can now clap his hands...and he is PROUD!
Oh yeah, and Mason takes full credit for teaching Levi...
05 September 2008
I'm a MANIAC, MANIAC...
Levi just does.not.stop! I am amazed daily at his sheer strength and determination....Today, he decided that crawling was not enough, pulling up was not enough...and, in the short time it took me to get Mason up from his nap, Levi speed-crawled to the steps from way across the room...and, by the time I got to the top of the steps, he was up 2 steps and standing holding onto the bars on the banister...I rushed down to spot him while Mason got the camera so I could record his achievement. By the time Mason fetched the camera, Levi was standing just on the first step (thank God I was spotting him!) ...but he had previously been up on the second step...
And, here are some more pics of my MANIAC...STRONG MAN! He just can't stop pulling himself up on anything and everything....and it makes him HAPPY!!
this scares Mommy! 
see my 2 teethers
And, here are some more pics of my MANIAC...STRONG MAN! He just can't stop pulling himself up on anything and everything....and it makes him HAPPY!!
this scares Mommy!see my 2 teethersCars, Cars, Cars
Mason got a new cars set a couple of weeks ago from his Aunt Siggy....he loves them. It's all we do...it's all he does. It is fun to watch him use his imagination. He likes to line the cars up very specifically (where does he get that from?). Then he gases up each car before it speeds down the ramp...We discuss each car...the fire truck, ambulance, Scooby Doo jeep, Lightning McQueen, etc. We know far too much about these cars...that's for sure
In other 'cars' news, Mason is also getting quite good at his Cars Puzzle....he needs fewer and fewer cues to figure it out.
So fun...here's some pics.
03 September 2008
I Get It...
So, now that Mason is 2 1/2....I understand the following over-used mommy phrases:
BECAUSE I SAID SO! After being so proud of myself for responding with patient, informative answers every time Mason asks WHY??....after the 400th WHY?? of the day, I just can't help but use this time-tested response. I was so excited when Mason started asking me WHY?? I thought, "Wow! He wants to understand the world he lives in...." And, "I get to be his teacher...." But, after having observed this phenomenon for more than a month now, I have to say that most of the time I don't think Mason really wants to know WHY? I also don't think he appreciates my creative, well-thought-out responses. So it really does take all I have to bite my tongue...so that this doesn't come out every time I hear WHY?!
I'LL GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO CRY ABOUT...Oh....what a hateful line...what cruel, cruel parent would say this to their sweet child?? ...especially when their own flesh and blood is crying? Well, I am shamed to admit that I may have said this a time or two in the past several days...when crying and whining become a 2 1/2 year old's favorite manipulation tool and it seems to be all you hear all day long...when patience is wearing thin at the end of the day...when you've given all you have all day long for this tiny creature...when you've skipped your shower to play cars, when you've skipped your lunch to read him extra books for nap time, when you've decided to take him to the park instead of going to the grocery store, when you've wiped his butt more times than you can remember...when it is that fake, no-tears-louder than necessary-dramatic cry, you just want them to understand that you really could give them something to cry about.....and it really does take all you have to refrain from shaking them and saying this....
BECAUSE I SAID SO! After being so proud of myself for responding with patient, informative answers every time Mason asks WHY??....after the 400th WHY?? of the day, I just can't help but use this time-tested response. I was so excited when Mason started asking me WHY?? I thought, "Wow! He wants to understand the world he lives in...." And, "I get to be his teacher...." But, after having observed this phenomenon for more than a month now, I have to say that most of the time I don't think Mason really wants to know WHY? I also don't think he appreciates my creative, well-thought-out responses. So it really does take all I have to bite my tongue...so that this doesn't come out every time I hear WHY?!
I'LL GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO CRY ABOUT...Oh....what a hateful line...what cruel, cruel parent would say this to their sweet child?? ...especially when their own flesh and blood is crying? Well, I am shamed to admit that I may have said this a time or two in the past several days...when crying and whining become a 2 1/2 year old's favorite manipulation tool and it seems to be all you hear all day long...when patience is wearing thin at the end of the day...when you've given all you have all day long for this tiny creature...when you've skipped your shower to play cars, when you've skipped your lunch to read him extra books for nap time, when you've decided to take him to the park instead of going to the grocery store, when you've wiped his butt more times than you can remember...when it is that fake, no-tears-louder than necessary-dramatic cry, you just want them to understand that you really could give them something to cry about.....and it really does take all you have to refrain from shaking them and saying this....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)