A day in the life of a toddler

Today, I have the pleasure of babysitting!  My daughter was lined up to watch these sweet little ones but due to a nasty illness, I am taking her place.  It has been a while since I have had to think like a toddler!  I have forgotten just how much you have to stay one step ahead of them!  They are busy little boogers!

Today, I am with a three year old boy who immerses himself in cars, magic markers, and Mickey Mouse cartoons!  I did not raise a son so the bathroom adventures are quite the experience too!  I forget that they are just learning to "aim" at the potty and they make the funniest faces when they need to go number 2, IF they stop long enough from playing to even make it to the potty for number 2!  Bribery is everything!  I wonder if Mom and Dad have ever played "Sink the Cheerios" with him?  A game that I remember my friend who raised a son used to play.  We might give it a try this afternoon! 

Later we will go pick up big sister from kindergarten.  This will make for lots more entertainment!  They are so excited at that age as they absorb everything around them!  I love nothing more than watching a child learn!  It makes me miss my early days with mine.  Learning was so much fun and I loved trying to come up with creative things to do.  I am not ready to be called grandma anytime soon, but I know I will make a great grandparent! 


It is time for lunch so it is time to cut up things into little bites and try to get him to sit still long enough to eat!  I'm thinking hot dogs or grilled PB & J!  We may both be ready for a nap after stuffing ourselves with these toddler treats!

They grow up so fast and I can't help but reminiscing about my child getting ready to graduate next year.  It flies way too fast.......

Have a blessed day everyone!

Riding with the Guard

Showing respect in a flag line for the family

Me lining up for a procession

what we refer to as The Big Flags out front!

I have the honor of riding with the Patriot Guard Riders in a multiple state area.  These are a group of motorcycle enthusiasts, former military men and women, blue star parents, and overall great patriots who believe whole heartedly that someone who served this country in the military deserves respect shown when they have either payed the ultimate price in service or after serving this great nation!  The folks gave up time with their families and friends to stand on a battlefield to protect the freedoms that we enjoy.  The least that can be given to them by us as a country is the respect that they are owed!  They earned it!

If you see a funeral procession pass you by, and you see a long line of motorcycle riders leading the way or following close behind, just know that these are my brothers and sisters in the guard.  Pull over, remove your hat, and pay respect to the person who is going by to their final resting place. 

We take great pride in being able to do what we do.  It is such an honor to be allowed to stand watch over the families so they can mourn their loved ones in peace without fear of being harassed or Heaven forbid, PICKETED by that wack-job "church" out of Westboro. 

I love being able to ride with these fine people from all walks of life.  I will ride with the guard in life until it is time for them to ride for me when I die.  GOD BLESS THE PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS!

Winter In Oklahoma

Holy cow it is cold!  I know some of you experience much colder weather than we are right now but, I DON'T LIKE COLD!  When it drops into the 50's, I've had enough!  Since crossing over into another year of life this past week, now at the ripe ol age of 4.#*%# something something...blah. blah. blah... doesn't really matter... I find that the cold now hurts deeper in the joints!  NO LIKEY! I was the athlete! I was the cheerleader! I was the workhorse! I was the girl who would never be outdone by any boy alive!  What happened?  

Now, my shoulders pop and creak, my hips burn, my lower back feels like it has a knot in it, and my hands move like they are covered in 30lb weights!  It's not fair!  I am truly a believer in youth is wasted on the young!  

The winters here in OK are not typical.  Even though we stay above freezing most of the time, we have a very wet cold; icy cold that penetrates multiple layers of clothing and sits in your bones!  We are also blessed by brown Bermuda grass and very long, gray days.  I think our sun goes into hiding from October to March.  It makes you want to stay in bed with the covers pulled up to your chin, or it makes you want to graze in the fridge and cabinets on comfort food while still in your footie pajamas! This is how I gain my winter weight and then come lake season, I will kick myself for allowing such gluttony to take place and I will being the nasty cycle of gym classes and crash diets.  Blah.....

I think I am ready to consider becoming a snow bird!  The thought of Christmas on the white, sandy beaches of the east coast sound better and better all of the time!

Way behind on blogging!!!

What an incredibly crazy few months!  I have been working so much with the people in Joplin and once we entered the time of the holidays, it just got crazier from there!  I am going to take the time now to make my blog a bit more festive for Christmas!  Stay tuned.....