I Love ROCK-n-ROLL!

James has a keen ear for music. Not just any type of music either.

While driving in the car a few days ago listening to the radio James calls out, "Mommy, Led Zeppelin." He was right. Its not hard to distinguish the squeal of Robert Plant. The very next day, a song that I haven't heard of theirs before comes on and he proudly says, "Led Zeppelin more Mommy." I was hesitant in telling him, yeah buddy you're right because I, in fact did not know. The announcer came on and proved James right, it was Led Zeppelin, singing GallowsPole.

I cannot take credit for his love of music totally. His dad, is oh, a BIG Lover of Rock-n-Roll. As a baby around 6 weeks old, Josh was watching James all alone, at one point James becomes inconsolable. Josh plugs in The Last Waltz, by Martin Scorsese a music documentary of The Band. And he was hooked. Thus becoming a bedtime routine for life. Even Ms. Scarlett loves The Band. Dancing and singing, even doing some amazing air guitar riffs.

Today we're at an outdoor playplace, which my sister-in-law calls 'the restaurant that shall remain nameless'. (McD) And this song comes on called Funkytown, by Lipps,Inc. James runs over to me and says "Funkytown mommy, by Shrek." I look puzzled for a minute, then quickly remember that this song is in the movie Shrek 2.

What a smart little man.

Edible Chick

This is my niece Jeorgia. And I want to gobble her up, she is after all, dressed up like a little chicken so it is okay. Seriously though, dinner anyone?

Love

I've always hoped and prayed that they would like each other. Just because he's washing her hair doesn't necessarily mean that they like each other, but it is a small step.

Earrings

This is my darling baby girl crying after getting her EARS PIERCED!! I've talked about this for awhile now and finally just did it. She did very well, and might I say looks so stinkin cute despite the tears and a little bit of anger on her face. Way to go you tough little girl.

yes, a miracle..

This is my Dad, also known as Poppa to his grandkids. On Wednesday October 15 he had brain surgery, hence all the things stuck to his shaved head and his rockin hospital gown and bracelet. What a long day that was. Even longer the weeks leading up to that day. He was just having headaches, had a MRI, and the Drs found a tumor. Probably some of the craziest news I've ever received. I felt like the wind was taken out of me and sort of tingly all over. No comparison to how he felt though.
What a fighter he is. Did I ever have any doubt...if we're realistic with ourselves, of course we do. This is my Dad, and seeing him so vulnerable was really hard for me. The surgery lasted about 7 hours, and my Dads tumor even broke a tool upon removal. Amazing recovery. Was able to leave the hospital on Sat. Just 3 days after the surgery.

Everyday is better and better. He's left with an amazing scar, a resemblance to Bruce Willis, and I'm sure a new outlook on life. Oh Dad we love you sooooo much don't you ever go scaring us like that again. But if you must, we're all there for you. Loving you every bit of the way. And praying like crazy too.

State Fair of Texas

You must go, really you must! I felt like a kid again. Maybe because I had my kids with me and we rode kiddie rides. And my SUPER FUN brother-in-law had us sampling some interesting fried things.
Here's just a few of the things we did:
posed as a sheep and a silly human

Drove a bumper car around and around in circles...


cuddled with MomMom




ate some ice cream like a pig, this pig weighs appx 1100 lbs...we did not eat as much as he does




Flew an airplane



Found a water fountain thanks to Uncle Blake....and our second wind!



But only for a little bit...sleep is sooooo good!

And ended the day in our underwear!

We really had a great time. Thanks mommom, Uncle Bake, Aunt Jack and Baby Jeorgia (dior-ga as James calls her). Let do it again!!!

God made everything

James is learning so much at sunday school. The B-I-B-L-E song, David and Goliath, David and Jonathan, and now, God has made everything. We were talking about this on the way home from church yesterday. I was telling James that God first made light and then darkness, thats why we have morning and nighttime. And that God had made him, his mommy and daddy, sister, grandparents etc. And then we get on the topic of Superheroes...the topic of interest lately. And James realizes God made Hulk, and this is fascinating to him. He giggles.

Also funny, T.A. (the youth pastor) spoke at our church. He was talking briefly about kids, and how he has come to the conclusion that kids do one of two things when you take them out in public. They can make you look like amazing parents, or embarrass you. Remember that.

Sometimes after church we'll stop by the mall to let the kids blow off some steam and run around. The stores are closed and the mall is fairly empty except for those mall walkers....
James was in a pretty whiney mood today, and after the final straw Josh has told him, if you throw one more fit, we are going home....minutes later a fit so we're leaving. James is making the most horrible sounds I've ever heard. At one point he is so angry, he rares back and slaps his sister in the head....great, now 2 screaming kids. Now I had mentioned that the mall was fairly empty, but it seems at this point all the mall visitors are focused on my screaming kids. Josh pulls James aside several times to explain to James why we are leaving. He just can't handle that we're actually leaving the mall.

We make it out to the car in one piece, barely. One final discipline to this 15 min tantrum seems to set James right. Whats leftover is his whimpers and big huffs of breaths, you know when you've cried so hard and you're just trying to get your breath back. Josh and I quietly discuss this as we're driving home. And also giggle over the embarrassment that just ensued. Though honestly I wasn't embarrassed, I would much rather my child be screaming because they didn't get their way. I've also learned that this is a great learning experience. Something similar happened at the playplace months ago. We had only been there, 10 minutes at most. And James badly wanted to play skiball, after telling him 3 times, that we did not come here to play this game, and if he asks one more time we're going home, screaming at me "NO MAMA!" I swiftly pick up James, Scarlett and all our belongings and leave. Has James asked to play those games again? nope. He sweetly points at them and says ball and smiles.

So yes, sometimes embarrassment, but more often its great joy, because he is learning and he is becoming more obedient. God help us.