JW=BIG BOY

I thought for sure Operation Bottle would be a disaster and it turned out to go pretty smoothly. John and I threw the bottles in the trashcan in front of JW and he of course flipped out but recovered rather quickly. He has been sleeping better and eating better since taking it which is good.. I guess maybe mom and dad may have been more attached to the ba ba than he was. He started his first day at Little Building Blocks yesterday. John is working 3-12 this week so that an employee can take a vacation which worked out for JW, because he can just spend a few hours each day this week to ease him into full time next week. When I picked him Ms. Jessica said that he had been very bashful and quiet and simply observed the other children from afar. He didn't cry at all and I am very thankful for that. I will be sure to take some pics next week when he starts all day. Gabe also starts the 3rd grade on Thursday. He is bummed summer is about over but also excited to get back in school and see his buds. He really wanted to play tackle football and I was hesitant but thought I would probably let him. Turns out we missed the sign up date and practices have already started...Bummer, so we will do one more year of flag football which probably is best anyway.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Last week Jack's wonderful and loving sitter Patty informed teary eyed it was time she closed her daycare and spend more time with her mother in Iowa.. I am really happy for her although I know Jackson will miss her terribly.. They love each other a whole lot. I tell her on a weekly basis " I don't know how you do this " day in and day out. I love my children with all my being (and I even love yours too so do not be afraid to bring them around me) but there isn't a chance in hell I would run a daycare..My patience is almost non existent these days. Anyway.. So I panicked for a day or two because how in the world was I going to trust anyone else, especially some stranger. Just last week in Olathe, a 18 month old little girl went to her very first day at a licensed daycare and died of asphyxiation that same day because she got her head caught in a gate..What the hell, how long was she there? I can hardly watch the news each night because of these type of stories. I decided to call a daycare in town that treated Gabe real well a few years back and had just added on to their building and are now accepting 1 year olds and they were happy to take him. It will be a BIG transition for him. He is used to taking his nap in a separate room in a playpen and now he will be taking his nap on a cot with other children next to him.. She told me that a teacher would pat his back until he fell asleep. I think he will have fun and will be really good for him socially. BUT tomorrow is a big day......... OPERATION NO MORE BOTTLE ! We are finally going to lay down the law and strip the little lad of his beloved and soothing bah bah........ We are probably just as attached to it as he is.. Its sort of a special time for us still. He grabs his "B" (blanket) and will sit or lay next to you and rub his blankie or touch my face snuggling his head on my chest. He lets you smother him with kisses and play with his hair....ahhhhhh I'm gonna miss that bah bah..... So this weekend is going to suck big donkey balls!!! He will scream and cry and throw the sippe cups across the room and smack me in the legs and throw his back on the floor and slam his heels into the ground.. Luckyyyyyyy Gabe has a sleepover to go to on Night #1... Wish us luck....

The Shack

I haven't been reading as much as I used to. Its hard to find the time these days but I just finished this book and it was amazing. Its a book that will change your heart. I recommend it highly.

Clicking on title above will take you to website to read about more.

1st Haircut

Johns has been on me a bit to have Jacks hair cut and I have protested because I love his long shaggy hair. The kid has great hair. I finally caved only because behind his ears gets very dry and crack and sometimes bleed and when I put medicine on it, his hair gets all stuck in it. So therefore I thought maybe cutting it would help heal it up. Anyway I took him and told the lady be ready because he was surely not going to sit still and probably would put up fight..because he is naughty like that I will post more later about how he has turned into demanding little boy.. NO.... he was an angel for her and barely budged at all.. So here is the haircut.. I am not fond of it.. He looks so much older and I miss my little baby with his flowing hippie hair. He sure is a handsome dog as Gpa would say!

Summer Visitors

Reese and Jack or better known as Double Trouble

Gabe and his big ol tonsils

Jackson and Grandpa Wayne

Uncle Ross and Jackson

We have had lost of family come to visit over the last few weeks. Wayne & Kathy came for Fathers Day. The guys worked a little bit on the basement plumbing while the gals shopped a little bit . John took them to casinos for Fathers day while Gabe and I stayed home packing for his two week vacation to Colorado. He is back now and were happy that he had fun with his father. Alisha, Ross, Reagan and Reese flew in from Florida and stayed with us for for a few weeks. It was a really good time and the cousins had a lot fun together. We hope to make our next vacation to Florida to visit them next time. Justina aka "Aunt Teenie" drove in from Texas, Ryan flew in from Colorado, and Rhonda and Ernie came in from Junction City. And Grandma Geri is just around the corner from us. We had a full house for the 4th of July and we were so blessed to have everyone here. It was great to have all of Johns siblings together. We love you all and hope you all leave your own crummy towns and move to G-town with us.. ha ha ha

Aunt Teenie and Grandma Rhonda, MOM

Auntie Alisha and Reese

Grandma Geri

Ryliegh, Reagan, Abby

Reagan and Gabe

Ryleigh, Gabe, Reese, Abby and Jack

Grandma Kathy, Grandpa Wayne

My Apron

I recently had sent a email to quite a few people similar to below and said how I had wished I had one too. Well my sweet mother n law Rhonda surprised me with a beautiful one for Mothers Day that she made herself.. I LOVE IT!! I think its so pretty and it means a lot to me that she spent her time making it herself.. She is so creative!! Thanks Rhonda I love it , and I love you..

History of Grandma's Apron

The principle use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a holder for removing hot pans from the oven; it was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken-coop the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.When company came those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids; and when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled it carried out the hulls for the chickens. In the fall the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner. It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that old-time apron that's served so many purposes. You will have to ignore the headbands and fruit snacks that Jack has been throwing around.. Be assured after that picture was taken, I picked them up and put them in the pockets of my new handy apron and then whipped up my family a homemade meal....or maybe we ordered pizza....