Garrett will be 2 years old next week. Wow, time sure does fly. I am amazed everyday by how much he has grown in these past 2 years. He really is no longer a baby. He is talking all the time, it cracks me up. I enjoy listening to him, he so funny. It amazes me how much information he retains and then spits out at a later time. It's like this whole past year he has been storing everything I've been teaching him up, and now he is using it in everyday life. I'm surprised everyday by something he does or says. For example, yesterday he bumped into me and he said, "excuse me." Really??? I didn't even know he knew that!
Here are a few things about him that I wanted to share :)
He is obsessed with skateboards, he wants one sooo bad. He finds anything he can inside or outside of the house and pretends it is a skateboard. It is very cute and very annoying. He loves them so much, we had to get him one for his birthday.
He does the cutest things. He picked up my cell phone yesterday and pretended to call Eric. He said, "Hello Dada. Horsey, goat, yes. Bye, bye!" What??? Too funny! I always know what's on his mind, horses (most animals really, or skateboards).
He is extremely smart. He can count to 19, he know most shapes, most of the alphabet and all the colors. I think his favorite color is black, he always picks out his black shoes to wear and when I ask him what color he wants to wear he says black.
He has recently decided that he needs friends to sleep w/ him. So at nap time & night time he picks 1 stuffed animal to go to bed with him, it's usually the same 3 he trades off with. When he wakes up he is so happy to see his friend I can hear him in there talking to them :)
That's enough about Garrett for today, next week I'll post all about his amazing Barnyard Bash!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Finding Courage
I have begun to realize that if I want to do something, I can't count on others to do them with me, or to ask me to do something with them, so I am now just doing it on my own. Being the co-dependant that I am I don't often enjoy doing things on my own, so I have really been branching out.
The first thing on my list to try on my own was MOPS (mother's of preschoolers), 2 years ago and that has worked out wonderfully and I have made some great friends.
And that was basically it for the past 2 years, short of going to the store and getting my eyebrows waxed, I haven't done anything on my own.
So a few months ago, for the umpteenth time, I was again upset because a friend did something I wanted to do w/out me. So I prayed about it and decided to find the courage to do things on my own. I have made a list of interests etc. and have started to tackle it.
Now, every Tuesday morning I take Garrett to the local library for their toddler story/song time and then to the park after to play. It has been such a rewarding experience for me to see his growth from these story times. He now sings along with the songs and knows the hand movements. He now sits quietly and listens to the story being read. In contrast to the the first few times when he would just sort of run around the room etc.
Last week I took my very first cooking class. Cooking and baking have always been a passion of mine. Something I have enjoyed doing as long as I can remember. After I was married I even toyed w/ the idea of going to Culinary School, but Eric and I thought it would be wasting money since I would just being staying home once we had a child. So, when I read an article about local cooking schools last February I jumped at the chance to take a class. Again, I asked a couple people to take it with me and of course they said no. At first I was upset thinking, once again I won't be able to do something I really want to do because no one will go with me, then it hit me GO ALONE! So, I called and registered. When Eric came home that evening and found out he was shocked and sad for me to have to go alone, but also impressed that I decided to do it. It was such a great experience, that I have decided to try to take one class every month, schedule permitting.
By being fearful of doing things on my own I have really been missing out on wonderful new experiences and meeting new people through them. God is stretching me and I like it!
It does make me sad however to not have a friend to enjoy these things with, but God is always teaching me something new, so here's to losing my co-dependence and gaining some independence. Courage through Christ!
The first thing on my list to try on my own was MOPS (mother's of preschoolers), 2 years ago and that has worked out wonderfully and I have made some great friends.
And that was basically it for the past 2 years, short of going to the store and getting my eyebrows waxed, I haven't done anything on my own.
So a few months ago, for the umpteenth time, I was again upset because a friend did something I wanted to do w/out me. So I prayed about it and decided to find the courage to do things on my own. I have made a list of interests etc. and have started to tackle it.
Now, every Tuesday morning I take Garrett to the local library for their toddler story/song time and then to the park after to play. It has been such a rewarding experience for me to see his growth from these story times. He now sings along with the songs and knows the hand movements. He now sits quietly and listens to the story being read. In contrast to the the first few times when he would just sort of run around the room etc.
Last week I took my very first cooking class. Cooking and baking have always been a passion of mine. Something I have enjoyed doing as long as I can remember. After I was married I even toyed w/ the idea of going to Culinary School, but Eric and I thought it would be wasting money since I would just being staying home once we had a child. So, when I read an article about local cooking schools last February I jumped at the chance to take a class. Again, I asked a couple people to take it with me and of course they said no. At first I was upset thinking, once again I won't be able to do something I really want to do because no one will go with me, then it hit me GO ALONE! So, I called and registered. When Eric came home that evening and found out he was shocked and sad for me to have to go alone, but also impressed that I decided to do it. It was such a great experience, that I have decided to try to take one class every month, schedule permitting.
By being fearful of doing things on my own I have really been missing out on wonderful new experiences and meeting new people through them. God is stretching me and I like it!
It does make me sad however to not have a friend to enjoy these things with, but God is always teaching me something new, so here's to losing my co-dependence and gaining some independence. Courage through Christ!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wildlife World Zoo
A couple weeks ago Eric and I took Garrett to the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium. I had already taken Garrett there w/ a friend a month prior & I could tell he remembered being there. It was such a great family day. We went right when they opened, so all the animals were out and about. We got to see a lot of them eat their breakfast. The boys watched an alligator get fed dead rats, obviously I did not watch that :) but Eric LOVED it.
Now that Garrett is talking, it is so fun to hear him say all the animals names, run over to them and get really excited. Next to horses, giraffes are his favorite animal. Garrett was ecstatic when he got to feed the giraffe, it was priceless.
Then we walked over to the kid area, there is a large play structure and a small petting zoo. Eric took Garrett in and he walked right over and talked to the baby goat & deer. The deer must have been teething or something because he kept biting every one's shirts, even the babies! Next to the petting zoo, there was an area where you could "pet" the tortoises. I loved this area :) One walked right over my foot!
Lastly, we went to the Aquarium. They have 2 areas where you can touch the sea life. Garrett touched the star fish & sea urchins. Eric got to touch some sort of shark. Of course, I touched nothing, being the big scardy cat that I am :) Oh, and Garrett refused to take his sunglasses off inside the Aquarium! He is a stubborn boy!
It was a fantastic days w/ my boys creating fun memories.
Now that Garrett is talking, it is so fun to hear him say all the animals names, run over to them and get really excited. Next to horses, giraffes are his favorite animal. Garrett was ecstatic when he got to feed the giraffe, it was priceless.
Then we walked over to the kid area, there is a large play structure and a small petting zoo. Eric took Garrett in and he walked right over and talked to the baby goat & deer. The deer must have been teething or something because he kept biting every one's shirts, even the babies! Next to the petting zoo, there was an area where you could "pet" the tortoises. I loved this area :) One walked right over my foot!
Lastly, we went to the Aquarium. They have 2 areas where you can touch the sea life. Garrett touched the star fish & sea urchins. Eric got to touch some sort of shark. Of course, I touched nothing, being the big scardy cat that I am :) Oh, and Garrett refused to take his sunglasses off inside the Aquarium! He is a stubborn boy!
It was a fantastic days w/ my boys creating fun memories.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Mushrooms
Are you tired of your mushrooms turning brown before you can use them? I have a great tip.
As soon as you bring them home from the store, take them out of the package and put them in a brown paper bag, roll it up tight and put it in the fridge. They will last a little longer.
Also, you shouldn't wash your mushrooms, you should just wipe them clean w/ a paper towel or a kitchen towel.
As soon as you bring them home from the store, take them out of the package and put them in a brown paper bag, roll it up tight and put it in the fridge. They will last a little longer.
Also, you shouldn't wash your mushrooms, you should just wipe them clean w/ a paper towel or a kitchen towel.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Silpat
Anyone use, have, or heard of the Silpat mat?
I LOVE this thing. I got it for Christmas from my sweet husband & it is now one of my favorite kitchen items! It is a non-stick mat to use when baking. Baking anything from cookies to fish sticks. And when I say non-stick, seriously it is non-stick. The very best product out there & so much better than having to cut parchment paper to size.
Also, when baking anything greasy, all the grease drips right off and doesn't accumulate on the food for you to blot off ~ Fantastic!
If you don't have one, take your BB&B coupon and go pick one up, NOW! :)
I LOVE this thing. I got it for Christmas from my sweet husband & it is now one of my favorite kitchen items! It is a non-stick mat to use when baking. Baking anything from cookies to fish sticks. And when I say non-stick, seriously it is non-stick. The very best product out there & so much better than having to cut parchment paper to size.
Also, when baking anything greasy, all the grease drips right off and doesn't accumulate on the food for you to blot off ~ Fantastic!
If you don't have one, take your BB&B coupon and go pick one up, NOW! :)
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Revelations & Rambles
These past few months have been crazy for my little family; I feel like I just got off a roller coaster. Things are finally feeling settled and I got a bug to start blogging again. Especially since I can not wait to share all of Garrett's upcoming b-day party pics, it's gonna be a blow out :)
God has been revealing many things to me through my daily prayer life, church & my MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group. God has been answering my prayers quickly as of late it seems. Which for an impatient person like me is fantastic. Some answers are no, some are yes, and some are filled with being content.
Contentment, hmm what's that? Anyone who knows me, knows I am rarely content for long. Praise God, I am now (at least for the time being)! I have been praying more thoughtfully and specifically over the last few months & boy was that the key. God is always teaching us, and for me, He has been teaching me what is really important for me & my family and His will for us. I am coming to realize (this is hard for me) that it is not fair to me, to compare myself to others; I just get hurt. I need to want what God wants for me & not what he wants for others. Not to mention the fact that most people aren't trying to live a Christ like life, so why would I want that, right?!!!
So, back to more & exciting revelations. I was just praying last night that God would reveal to me what the next phase in my life would be, whether I go back for my Masters, get a job, or ??? So, this morning I had a steering team meeting with my MOPS group. (let me backtrack)I joined the group for the 2nd half of the year 2 years ago. At the end of that year I was asked to be a Discussion Group Leader and lead a table for the following year (this year-we coincide w/ the school year). I was very flatter and excited, I had only been there a few months and wasn't super involved because Garrett was so young.
Well, at the meeting this morning I was asked to be the Creative Director & Social Coordinator. They usually give these positions to 2 different people, but thought I would be great for both & would give me a team to delegate to. Of course I said yes & am super excited! God answered my prayer in less than 24 hours on this one :) This will keep me busy throughout the summer and for the upcoming year. I feel so blessed to have these women in my life. For the first time in my life I feel truly accepted, loved, not judged, and understood by these women. It is a wonderful feeling and something I have been praying for for nearly 25 years.
Praise God, He is good!
God has been revealing many things to me through my daily prayer life, church & my MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group. God has been answering my prayers quickly as of late it seems. Which for an impatient person like me is fantastic. Some answers are no, some are yes, and some are filled with being content.
Contentment, hmm what's that? Anyone who knows me, knows I am rarely content for long. Praise God, I am now (at least for the time being)! I have been praying more thoughtfully and specifically over the last few months & boy was that the key. God is always teaching us, and for me, He has been teaching me what is really important for me & my family and His will for us. I am coming to realize (this is hard for me) that it is not fair to me, to compare myself to others; I just get hurt. I need to want what God wants for me & not what he wants for others. Not to mention the fact that most people aren't trying to live a Christ like life, so why would I want that, right?!!!
So, back to more & exciting revelations. I was just praying last night that God would reveal to me what the next phase in my life would be, whether I go back for my Masters, get a job, or ??? So, this morning I had a steering team meeting with my MOPS group. (let me backtrack)I joined the group for the 2nd half of the year 2 years ago. At the end of that year I was asked to be a Discussion Group Leader and lead a table for the following year (this year-we coincide w/ the school year). I was very flatter and excited, I had only been there a few months and wasn't super involved because Garrett was so young.
Well, at the meeting this morning I was asked to be the Creative Director & Social Coordinator. They usually give these positions to 2 different people, but thought I would be great for both & would give me a team to delegate to. Of course I said yes & am super excited! God answered my prayer in less than 24 hours on this one :) This will keep me busy throughout the summer and for the upcoming year. I feel so blessed to have these women in my life. For the first time in my life I feel truly accepted, loved, not judged, and understood by these women. It is a wonderful feeling and something I have been praying for for nearly 25 years.
Praise God, He is good!
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