Things I'm Learning, Doing, or Thinking about

Before you read this I must note that I started this post yesterday (basically I wrote the title yesterday) so now it says that I posted it on Friday when in fact I did not post it until now, 8:20 pm Sat. night. So there now read on and enjoy.

Yesterday I got onto many of the south eastern states websites and requested tourism packets. I am now eagerly awaiting brochures from Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Early in May we are hoping to take our first family vacation. Tim has never been to this part of the country and its been a few years for me. I haven't been to the southeastern coast in years. I love how rich in history this part of the country is. I am particularly fond of Civil War and Colonial history. We are planning on camping. This fact I am sure is shocking to most of you who know and love me but it was actually my idea and I am very excited about it. Although if I am going to be camping we are going to do it right and we are investing in a large tent that has at least two rooms and room for an air mattress because believe you me at 8 months pregnant this chica has no intentions of sleeping on the ground. I can't wait to take James to all sorts of amazing places. I can already see him playing in the water and sand, jaw dropped as he watches all the aquatic life at an aquarium, and running down a (former) battlefield.

I remember on our first vacation I think I was 6, we were touring the USS Alabama and I was lolly gagging as I traipsed up a long set steep metal steps and somehow I lost one of my shoes. We we on vacation so of course these were new shoes. I was slightly panicked as I yelled for Mom. They all came to my rescue and I can't quite remember now but I think in the end it was Aaron who retrieved my shoe from the treachery below. Any of you who have ever toured a battle ship know that it was more likely than not that I would never see the poor shoe again. Needless to say I was more careful from that point on and kept my new slip on shoes tightly in place.

In the last few days I replaced all of the leg elastic in James diapers. I can sew reasonably well although it would never win a beauty contest. Apparently I have been praying for patience. Not that this task was so very hard but every so often I would lose grip of the elastic and and have to go fishing for it. During these times Tim would remind me the importance of saying "Oh shoot" around tender little ears. As it would seem this was not my saying of choice. Hmmm.

I've also learned my husband is a big fan of cake. Recently I made a white layer cake with coconut butter cream. Strangely enough this is what I was craving. I don't even like cake, so much so that I thought about having wedding cake flavored snow cones at our wedding. But anyway this is what the child must have wanted. I ate one piece and that took care that. Back to my point, so I made this cake and Tim is eating it and all of a sudden out of the blue he says, and I quote, "Is cake expensive?". I say "No, why?", Tim says around a mouthful of cake "You should make it more often." HHHmm... Maybe I should.

The other day I was on my my way to the weekly womens Bible study that I attend and was dropping James off at Mother's Day out. He hadn't been in a while as they took a break over the Holidays and then we were away in Canada so he was very excited. Since it had been a while James had moved up a class. As I was giving all the usual mommy instructions and showing what I had brought for his lunch, the lady asked if at nap time he would sleep on a mat. I laughed. No, most likely not unless the Lord intervenes. So that day I decided it was time to start training James to sleep in his toddler bed. Tim brought it in from the work shed and today I cleaned and assembled it. I also completely rearranged his room in order to accommodate this new piece of furniture. I knew this day was fast approaching with Bunny having dibs on James crib as of June, so during our Ikea raid with Kryna I had purchased a duvet, duvet cover, and pillow just for the little Monster's new bed. I just have to say I love Ikea, I got the duvet for 7.00 the pillow for .75 and yes I went a little crazy and paid 20.00 for the duvet cover, it was the most expensive thing I bought that day. The duvet and cover are both actually twin sized so he can use them still when he moves to an even bigger boy bed. For now I just have them folded in half. It has mid-evil (is this really how to spell this?) decor on it complete with dragon, mouse, black bugs. James is going to love it when he sees it.

Facing the door looking to the right corner.

That brings us to the fact that James had a sleepover at G&G R's last night and tonight. He was going to come home today but they were all having so much fun that an extension was requested, not of course by James, no he was too busy to even talk to his Momma on the phone. The wish was granted and all are happy. At least pretty much. After I had his room completely back in order, the toy box emptied and cleaned, and numerous other things accomplished I went and sat in the rocking chair and looked around his room, missing him so much I almost turned on Tad and hugged Lumpy. But I showed restraint and went to make Tim some supper. While I was making supper I stood looking out the window and saw James' trike in the back yard standing empty in the rain next to his little yellow bulldozer. This did not help my missing my little Monster, padding around the kitchen saying "here go" as he hands me things he is sure that I need. As we were eating supper I told Tim what I had been thinking and he just laughed at the hormonal mess that I am. I laughed too knowing that I am silly. I am glad he is at his G&G having so much fun. Now before I go I must show you some pictures of the rearranged room that is James'.

I tried to catch every angle, this is from the door looking pretty much straight in.

From the door to the left.

From the corner to the left of the door looking to the back right corner.

Looking in from the hallway.