Gone my heart melted
Baby boy water birth born
Now swims in my soul
* * *
Author’s note: No, Cubbie does not use a Nuk, as evidenced by the fact that he’s got it in upside down. He found it in a drawer, popped it in his mouth, and posed like this long enough for me to get a shot off.
This was my attempt at writing a Haiku poem. I linked up again this week to One Shot Wednesday. Stop over and check out the REAL poets!
Sunday morning, I stepped out on our deck, avoided the puddles of dew and felt the crisp Fall air as I walked near the railing.
I caught the sun glaring through the trees, welcoming me into the day.
I inhaled slowly, enjoying the moment of solitude and thanked God for another day.
I love this time of year. The cooler air, the crisp leaves under foot, pumpkins and hay bales.
Although the bitter cold is around the corner, I wish we could just stop time and
stay
right
here.
* * *
What is YOUR favorite season and why?
*This post is linked to L.L. Barkat’s “On, In, and Around Mondays”, an invitation to write from where you are. Link up or just stop over and read where others are.
So I had this great idea to take my left over pizza sauce, experiment with my tortillas and see if I could create pizza! All while documenting it for my blog readers.
See, I did it all for YOU! So here we go…
First mistake…I mixed up by brand names! There’s goes that lucrative Kraft sponsorship…
But wait, it gets worse.
As I was documenting my brilliant idea, along came a hand…
And then some unmanicured toes! Oh the horror! And yes, now you can see my little thief stealing pepperoni…
“Mama, whatcha doin? Why you on chair?”
Quickly realizing my attempt at food blogging was a bust, I got down and started the oven. The end result…soggy pizza!
Really, I should not be left unsupervised.
At the library, my boys went wild.
I was one of those moms,
carrying a screaming toddler
with a pre-schooler trailing behind
fussing because his book
didn’t have enough pages.
All I wanted
was one book,
ONE book
for myself!
Once out to the car,
I yelled at my first born
and at my second born
and then I cried.
*****
Author’s note: I’m ashamed to say this is true. Parenting two and four year old boys is quite challenging. I love their little spirits and their energy amazes me, but some days, I just can’t dig deep enough in my patience well.
Linked to One Shot Wednesday. Have a poem on YOUR heart? Head on over there and share!
One last visit to the beach.
Oh don’t fret, my little one…
there’s still time to draw in the sand…
and walk along the sandy shores before the snow flies.
* * * * * *
Last weekend, after rescuing the turtle, we headed to the local county park. Water levels have been extremely low the past two years, so the boys have not been able to swim at the beach. But they still love playing in the sand!
I’m still learning how to use my Photoshop Elements 8. After adjusting the color/hue and saturation, I used Pioneer Woman’s edge burn.
This is a shot of him on my lap while sitting on the kitchen floor, dinner cooking away on the stove above.
I asked him to show me where it hurts. This is what he did:
My silly boy!
So I’ll cuddle him, make dinner while holding him on my hip, and overall love him up until this passes…and pray for sanity until it does!
My husband loves turtles, he has since he was a boy. If he sees one trying to cross the road he will stop his truck, jump out, scoop it up, and help it into the weeds on the other side.
The problem…he does this with us inside! I keep reminding him that the lives of his children and wife are slightly more important than that of a turtle.
I think I have him convinced…
So yesterday, on the way to the county park, when my husband spotted this baby painted turtle…
taking its sweet time getting across…
he jumped into action!
The boys named him Frank.
Oh doesn’t he looked ticked! It’s okay, just giving you a little help, buddy.
Once we got him safely to the other side, he didn't want to come out!
Linked to:
and 
Sprout was so excited about going back to preschool! This is his second year, since he’s 4. Next year, he’ll start Kindergarten.
The church preschool he attends requires a parent to accompany their child on the first day, for the entire time. Last year, I couldn’t get the day off and my husband went.
So this year…
I was excited to go to preschool too! I managed to take a vacation day at work.
And guess what? Sprout actually smiled for the picture! Maybe it had something to do with Daddy taking the picture…or just his excitement.
It was so fun to spend the 2 1/2 hours with him singing songs, listening during storytime, and letting him run wild on the playground. Then, when it came time to simulate pick up time, they made us parents leave the room…and Sprout started crying! Ugh, talk about break my heart! Luckily, it was short lived. He was all smiles when he saw me again.
I'm joining in with Monica from Pixel Perfect today for Before and After.
Here’s my SOOC shot:
This is Cubbie and I last summer. Yes, it’s a year old, but it’s one of my all time favorite pictures, at least after it was edited!
Here’s the edited shot:
I used Creative Memories Memory Manager 3.0 for editing (it was before I had PSE 8.) I cropped it to portrait, used the paint brush to make the people disappear, then turned it black and white.
On a side note….oh how I miss babywearing my babies!!!
Hop on over to
and check out lots of great shots!
I am not ashamed
To tell my story
Because I know
There are others out there
Who keep silent
Or are kept silent
And I am here
To say
YOU are not alone
Whatever your past
YOU choose your future
but not until
You forgive yourself
And LIVE!
* * *
Author’s note: I must say Thank YOU for all your wonderful comments on my last post about my mom’s alcoholism and my search for answers. I felt a need to explain why I write about such personal things, so when I saw the theme for Theme Thursday was “Reason”, I couldn’t resist linking up.
PS. I promise a more upbeat post tomorrow! :-)
Amaretto
at the ready
A case of 3-2 beer
always in the fridge
Part of our grocery money
every other week
blown at the liquor store
She’s gone
And here I am
at 37
Trying to figure it out
As a daughter, it hurts
As a mom, it pisses me off
But I never got a chance to ask her…
Why?
As a daughter, I think…Was it me? Was I so bad I caused her to drink?
As a mom, I think…What hurts were so bad they caused her to neglect her kids
and drink?
I have my clues, my family rumors, but I will never know…
The answer
* * *
Author’s note: From previous posts, you probably know my mom died in a car accident when I was 14. That is why I will never have answers. This poem came to me this weekend as I was lying in our pop-up camper, listening in the darkness to my baby boy’s and my husband’s gentle breaths as they slept. I thought of how thankful I am for all I have and wondered why my mom didn’t feel the same way about her life and children.
Linked to One Shot Wednesday. Have a poem on YOUR heart? Head on over there.
Sometimes, I feel alone in our choice to not vaccinate our boys. However, after all the wonderful comments and emails I received, I see that many of YOU are trying to find an alternative approach too.
(Disclaimer: NOT giving medical advice, just my own opinion.)
Here are two good resources I would recommend:
“Vaccinations, A Thoughtful Parent’s Guide” by Aviva Jill Romm. This book has one of the most balanced views on the subject. We refer to it regularly.
The National Vaccine Information Center website is also a very helpful resource. Another website that is more general regarding natural health is Mercola.
Also, to answer a few questions:
1. No, our boys have not received ANY vaccinations.
2. Now, neither my husband nor I get the flu shot or tetanus or any other shot that doctors claim you need on a regular basis. Before meeting my DH and knowing better, I use to get the tetanus shot every however many years and the flu shot every year. I also use to take the birth control pill before learning the truth about it.
2. I was asked about antibiotics. Our boys have never had any infection that would require one. They have had colds and fevers, but never a bacterial infection. Even with a fever, we don’t automatically give Children’s Tylenol. There’s a threshold we hold out to, but I don’t want to state it here for fear of sounding like I’m giving medical advice. We also do not use any form of cough medicine, just natural alternatives.
I hope I’m not coming across as a “know it all” or trying to force my views on anyone. I’m only letting you all know what decision we have arrived at. Like I said in my last post, do YOUR research, work with YOUR doctor, and make your OWN educated choices that you feel the most comfortable with.
Every year, the State tries to intimidate us into vaccinating our children. This year, the form even forces us to sign that we understand we are putting our children and other children at risk. I am not going to get into the politics of it. I just want other parents to realize you DO have a CHOICE.
Whether it be gymnastics or swimming classes, day care or preschool, the YMCA or church, we jump through the same hoop. We bring the State Immunization Form to a notary, sign it, get it notarized, and hand it in. That’s it. We have never been told our children couldn’t participate in ANY activity due to not being vaccinated.
This is what we believe is the right decision for OUR children. I would NEVER force my beliefs on others. My DH is in the natural health field and has researched and continues to research this issue extensively. (Disclaimer: not giving professional advice here…see next paragraph.)
The best advice I can give is to do your research, talk to YOUR doctor and arrive at a decision that makes sense to YOU. We have friends who don’t vaccinate at all, some who spread out the shots, and some who follow the exact schedule recommended by their pediatrician.
We have found a wonderful family practice doctor who respects our wishes and does not pressure us into anything. She works with us regarding natural alternatives and homeopathic solutions whenever practical. In the end, I have never doubted this decision and feel strongly that we have made the right choice for our boys.
He's on to me...
As soon as the camera comes out…
“No, Mama, I don’t wanna smile. I just want to PLAY!”
Then he high tails it out of there…
and gives me attitude!
And he’s only 4! Oh dear…
