The Joys of Parenthood

I am sure that every parent has times they can recall when their kids embarrassed them completely. Well today was one of those days for me.

We went out to dinner and Zane (who is 90% potty trained!!!! pooping still needed) asked to go potty. So David took him. They were gone for what seemed like forever. Probably because the food was sitting there begging to be eaten. Well, as they are coming out of the bathroom, Zane starts to yell "pee pee, pee pee, pee pee" while running around the dining area. I am sure that I was very red. A couple that had just sat down were just laughing. Luckily, there were not many people there, but still.....

We then went to get my favorite desert: Baskin Robbins! Zane got a scope of Jamoca (sp) Oreo something and "shared" with Daddy. I think that David got five bits at the most. He was taking these huge bits. David and I were waiting for the infamous BRAIN FREEZE! It never came. As soon as Zane took the last bit, he said "More Please!" I can't believe he did not have a tummy ache! I am hoping that Zane will learn to love Baskin Robbins for birthdays as much as I do. It is the one thing that I remember we did for every birthday growing up. We would go and enjoy a scoop of ice cream on or very near our birthdays.

So much fun!

Happy Independence Day!

First, I want to thank everyone who may be reading this that has served in the military. I want to give a special thank you to my family members who have served, or are serving: my brother Jason who is serving in the Navy right now. To Uncle Scott: served in the Coast Guard and National Guard. Grandaddy and Grandad Easy were in the Navy in WWII. Aunt June: Navy. Uncle Dave: 101 Airborne (I think I am remembering correctly). Jorge (or Poppi) was also in the Navy. Yes, the Navy is very common in our family! Thank you for your selflessness and service. If I forgot someone, I am sorry but thank you: add yourself in the comments please!

Hope that everyone has a wonderful 4th and enjoys what every you are doing. I am jealous of those of you who are where you will be able to enjoy outdoor actives without being able to fry an egg outside!

Great Reminder

Wow! How God works. As I was doing some research, again, on adoption grants, I ran across a great blog. I found it through Shaohannah's Hope. It is Kerry Hasnebalg's site. After the first time I read it, I was amazed to find out how God had lead me here. It was on a day that I was feeling sorry for myself in regards to Micah and was feeling all alone. Well, I wandered here and found that she too had lost her little girl in January also. I was hooked and started to read further. Every time I visit I am amazed how Kerry is able to put things into words that I am unable to. God has truly blessed her with the gift that I am unable to express. Today's post Dad's Kids very much what I needed to hear today. It makes me realize, again, that God has experienced EVERYTHING that I have and more. That I need to pray for those who are lost and perishing. I need to remember ALL of His promises. Especially in times when I am feeling alone and overwhelmed: remind myself of a great passage: 2 Cor 4:7-10 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

Healing after a tragedy is not quick, easy, or fun. But this passage also reminds me that everything needs to focus back to God and be to His glory to spread the gospel. On May 11th our pastor gave a remarkable message related to this (can listen to it Acts 9:32-43). I am so thankful that God is in control of every situation and that I can look back and see how he has done exactly what was needed when. Even though I may not like it, understand it, or approve of it, it is the best thing that could have happened and the timing is perfect.

Matching and Reading

Zane has discovered the joys of Cars and Mack trucks. Every work truck we pass on the road he yells "Mommy MACK!" Yes, he learned it from Cars. So what did I do, but check out lots of books about big trucks from the library. I also remembered that Grammie got Zane construction vehicles for his birthday. I had put them up to protect them. Well, Zane loves to read the books about the trucks. I even caught him matching his construction vehicles with the pictures in the books! Once he was done, he wanted to take a nap. TOO CUTE and I love when he asks me to read to him, even if it is the same book five times in a row!

During all of this we have also started to really focus on potty training. Zane has done great! We went to the zoo and he stayed dry the whole time and went on the potty there. You have got to love the places who cater to little ones and have potties that are just their size. We also went to the AMY, then had lunch at Daddy's work and Zane was dry the entire time! He stayed dry at church today also. However, this has lead to some great blackmail photos for in the DISTANT future and we are telling his future wife about all the silly things he did as a child. I can't post them, even though it is tempting.

In an earlier post, I mentioned some love birds and how they are introduced. Well, here is another reason introduced species are not a good thing. Earlier this week lightning started a fire in the Gila River Indian Reservation. It has given us beautiful sunsets, which are breathtaking. See for your self:

But they are having difficulty putting the fire out because of Salt Cedar. Salt Cedar is an introduced plant from the Mediterranean area. It hogs all the water and leaves salt deposits behind so the native plants can't survive. It is also very flammable and thrives after a fire. What was great was that ABC 15 News mentioned this problem in their 5 pm news cast! Got to love the fact that some conservation issues that are worth bring to the surface and are real get noticed. Kind of like dandelions, Africanized Bees, and Brown and Rainbow Trout and the effects that they have had on native fish in the Colorado River Basin. (Yes it is a soapbox of mine that I don't get to voice often, but the fire is a perfect reason for it!)

Surf's Up Art

Zane had another art class. This time it was focused on the water and ocean creatures. He loved the finger painting the ocean and adding "foam" to it. The foam is shaving cream whipped with glue. I want to do this again, but add color, it had a really cool effect.

He also liked making a glitter frame, which he is giving to daddy with a picture in it for work.

So sparkly that the flash can't handle it!

He also made a pet. He used a sea shell, googly eyes, and other fun stuff and created his own pet, that he does not have to clean up after. Lots of fun!

Fun Times

So this is just a bunch of fun things that have been happening. First as you saw in earlier posts: Wildlife in the Backyard, we have had some awesome visitors. We have been having FOUR love birds coming and devouring our sunflower seeds. It is great fun to watch. However, it is also sad. Both David and I thought that they were native wildlife, with Arizona being the northern most part of their migratory path. After researching this, we found that they are native to Africa. This means that the lovebirds that we are seeing are pets people lost, or let go or they are offspring of those lost pets. These are introduced species that brings up a whole other stance that I will not get into: Got to love us Wildlife Biologists!!!!

The next set of pictures is another repeat offense. Yes, Zane decided to paint the bathroom mirror AGAIN--With SOAP-- But the great part of this is that he wanted to clean up!!! But he also was so cute admiring his work!

Finally, Zane is starting to really get the Hide-And-Seek game down. In some cases too well. He loves when I hide, so he can come find me, but I have found that he also likes to get in trouble during my hiding. I was able to send him hiding and catch these adorable pictures.

Learning our LETTERS

I finished the first part of a new project. I think that this one is going to take some time. Here is the finished product:

Yes, they are made out of felt, which I traced and cut out. Then I glued craft sticks to give them support and another layer of felt. I used sticky Velcro (the rough side) on the wall and I have a movement involved way to teach Zane his alphabet. I want to get upper case, numbers and shapes still. Thanks to a friend, who advised to start with lower case because that is what is seen more, I did not try and tackle the whole thing at once.

Could use any ideas in how to tell the b, d, p, q, and n and u apart!?!? Pattern recognition is still a ways away.