"They'll call me Uncle Joel"

John David got his summer haircut on Tuesday after a little bribing of a new toy. The initial cut is the hardest but isn't that hard to maintain. I think it is adorable! His first comment (after being very frustrated with me) was "They'll call me Uncle Joel." I was very impressed he remembered his favorite/only uncle has the same haircut. Of course, I didn't tell him Uncle Joel has that haircut due to the lack of hair. I love you, bro! Here is Uncle Joel & Aunt CC at Easter.

Drew

My littlest boy hasn't gotten his turn on the blog.

Here he is reading a book which he loves doing all of the time. Although he doesn't like to sit for the entire book, just the first few pages. I learned something new about him this morning. It looks like Drew will be left-handed just like his mom! As we signed our names to the grandfather's cards, he kept grabbing crayons in his left hand. Even when I tried to give him one in his right hand, he switched it to his left hand. I guess Drew, Aunt Darlene, and I will get to sit at the family dinner table together!

I have several friends who say he looks like me and even acts like me! Ang cracks up at each play date as he tries to run out of the children's play area at the mall. Drew usually looks back in time to giggle as I try to chase after him. As time goes on, I know Drew and I will have our disagreements. He is chatty and loud but adorable!

Swim Lessons

John David started swim lessons this week. He was a little nervous at first but is doing very well. Mrs. Davis is his teacher & was his teacher last summer, too. He is very proud of himself & even spoke up when he didn't get a turn! I knew he didn't get a turn but I wanted to see if he would speak up for himself. I was very proud of him since he has a tendency not to get up in front of others to perform. He takes a total of two weeks of lessons. He is the only boy in class!

MGM!

This past weekend was fabulous! It was the first trip of MGM (Moms Gone Mild) to Austin. We stayed in Lisa's in-law's home as they were out of the country. It was a beautiful 4 bedroom home, game room, pool, & spa! Three of us went down early on Friday to eat lunch with Granny and my sis, Leah, at Buzzard Billy's in Waco. After we got to the house in Austin, we visited for several hours by the pool before heading for a burger without kids. After some shopping, we returned to the house until the others got there at 11pm. We laughed & talked until 2 am! It was great to sleep in the next morning until 8:30 am. After a few more hours of visiting, it was time to hit the pool. I decided to take a walk before joining the others. We all laughed about the different music selections we had on ipods. Everyone contributed to several salads for lunch. It was about 4 pm when we decided we had enough sun and would get ready for dinner. For dinner, we went to Moonshine, a restaurant downtown. Saturday night we stayed up until only 1 am. We slept in again. About mid morning, two girls left to get home. The rest of left a little before lunch making a few stops including the Rockwall stores. We got home around 4:30pm.

It was funny to hear about the husbands & grandparents who were taking care of the kiddos over the weekend. Everyone survived. No bathing suit pics will be on the internet like I promised! I look forward to the next trip of MGM! Maybe we'll be better about applying more sunscreen!

Papa & Grammy Camp

John David, Drew, and I drove to Ardmore, Oklahoma today to meet dad for lunch. It is only about 1 1/2 hours for each of us without any traffic or construction. Afterwards, the boys went home with him until Sunday! :) What a quiet ride home today! Dad has already emailed saying the boys talked for a lot of the trip home but are taking naps at the moment. I am excited, a little nervous, but enjoying the time already.
David and I plan to see THE new chick movie tonight. We only have 2 nights together before I head to Austin for my MGM (Moms Gone Mild) weekend!

The Dentist

John David has never enjoyed the dentist and today things did not help. Before we even went into the building, we all three said a prayer in the truck. I knew we would need it. Drew went with us today and was his usual active self. We waited in the waiting room (playing) before we went back. The assistant was very calm and patient with all of us. John David wouldn't sit in the chair (even though there are TVs on the ceiling). He kept standing next to me while I held Drew who was squirming constantly. The assistant would show John David and then Drew all of the different tools she would use. Drew was fascinated and John David didn't want to have anything to do with it. She ended up holding him between her legs while trying to clean his teeth. I was holding his hands away from his mouth while Drew was still in my lap. She attempted to brush his teeth & then polish them. Thank goodness we didn't do x-rays! The dentist quickly came over to look at his teeth. The bottom right tooth hadn't gotten any better in the last year so he suggested a crown. I was afraid of this. I asked about pulling it instead. The dentist said this was the best fix or else the tooth that grows behind it would crowd out the permanent tooth that would grow in when he was about 12 years old. I decided we might as well do it today since we were there.

We left with a diazapan prescription for 1 pill. We waited the 45 minutes before returning to the dentist's office. Luckily I found a Veggie Tales movie in the truck that we watched. I tried to pick up trash in the truck. I also started calling any and everyone I knew somewhat close who I could get to watch Drew but with no luck. I was also talking to my mom & David. Mom was very comforting & reassuring. With new assurance and more talking to God, I knew we could all get through this. When I talked to David a second time, he said he had received a call from his mom. Gloria had a feeling that something wasn't right, so she called David to see if he was OK. David filled her in on John David's morning. WOW, God was with us today!

After we returned to the office, my dear friend Lisa called volunteering to come get Drew. Thank you, Lord! John David asked about all of the kids who came out with rolls of gauze in their mouth. A little while later it was John David's turn to go back. He didn't want to go & I wasn't allowed to go. After a little chasing around chairs, the nurse carried a kicking and crying little boy back. I was, of course, crying, too. After another prayer & talking to David, I read my book. About 30 minutes later, I asked a nurse to check on him & she remembered he had gone kicking. She reassured me he was done & asking for me. He had done fine & I had to get directions for the rest of the day. Pain relievers and soft foods. Call with any concerns. They opened the door so I could get him and I started crying. He looked sad and a little traumatized with his rolled gauze in his mouth.

We stopped by Sonic on the way to get Drew. Nothing is better than a blue slushy, mac'n cheese bites & grilled cheese from Sonic. Of course, I had my Dt. Dr. Pepper with vanilla, too. Both boys did fall asleep in the car for a few minutes.

We have now been home for an hour and Motrin was given a while ago. He is eating & watching Peter Pan. Nap time is now, too. I am sure he'll take a good one.

Tomorrow he and Papa can compare their silver teeth.

Blogging about Monday

Blogging is very interesting. I am constantly debating about what to write about. Do my friends and family want to hear my thoughts like a diary or the daily grind of the day?



We'll it has been an interesting day. Drew, John David, and I went to the gym like we do most Mondays for a weights class which is a favorite of mine. I usually shower at the gym afterwards because I can do it without any interruptions. For you fellow moms, you know what a quiet shower, blow drying my hair and putting on fresh make-up can do to a mom's confidence. We spent the latter part of the afternoon cleaning out several different closets and cabinets at church that has various MOPS articles for several years. How exhilarating to find things that were lost and condense stuff!



Dinner time is always frustrating but God had a hand in it tonight. As I was cutting up veggies & cooking chicken, Drew was fussing. I tried to feed him carrots that he has eaten for me before but those ended up thrown on the floor, as well as, the cup and spoon. I was very frustrated and losing my cool! (I forgot to mention that Drew was into everything at the church & fussed almost the whole way home.) The boys played for a little while before Drew was able to find the TV remote. I think Rachel Ray was cooking at the time. Drew started pressing buttons and John David started yelling at me that Drew had the remote. I looked up in time to see the TV switch to the worship channel which was playing beautiful music. I immediately thought that God had a hand in it. I could hear God telling me to calm down & not get so frustrated. After I said a little prayer in my head, I instantly felt better.



Thank you, God. I am so fortunate that I have a husband who comes in at night to play with the boys & takes them out of the kitchen after dinner so I can clean up the dishes. Thank you for reminding me to calm down. I was in a much better mood the rest of the evening.



Now as I get ready for tomorrow, please say a prayer of patience and calmness. John David is going to the dentist in the morning and he doesn't like going at all. John David is more terrified of the dentist than probably singing on stage. Drew is going too because I couldn't find a sitter. I know things will go well for all of us but I promise the morning will be covered in prayer!


I'll fill you in tomorrow about our day.