Summer has officially started, let's not leave the house...

Just wanted to post a quick update since I have a few minutes (kids are asleep and yes, I should be too!). 

First... Callen:

• A few nites ago, he was making some fussy noises letting me know he was hungry, so I went to get him.  He's been sleeping in his crib for several weeks now - we both sleep better that way!  Anyway, when I went in to pick him up, he was on his back!  Which means he rolled over, 'cause I always lay him down on his belly to sleep!  He's done that a few more times since then, but I have yet to actually SEE him roll over.  Sneaky snake!  He's been scooting all over this crib too... he's never where I leave him, that's for sure!
• He's now crying real tears.  It's pretty much the saddest thing to see little tears welling up in his eyes and then brimming over.  Don't cry, baby!!!  And when he gets really upset, he gets the BIGGEST frowny face I've ever seen in my entire life.  I keep trying to capture it in a picture because you seriously can't even believe the size of this guy's frown.  It will straight up break your heart!   =(
• He's also starting to laugh.  He's got the giant, gummy grin down, but over the past few days he's developed a little laugh as well.  It's usually at Preston, but I've managed to get one out of him a few times.  He really likes it when you hold him up in the air and bring him to down to your face.  He does this adorable blinky thing, smiles that giant grin and will sometime laugh out loud.  It's so cute!
• Callen is definitely filling out.  It looks like we MIGHT get a bit of a chunkster out of him.  Preston looked slightly chunky for like two days of his whole life.  Haha.  He never got rolls or was a chubby baby at all... so we're just waiting to see if Callen is gonna chunk up or not.  He sure eats enough to do it, no problem.

Preston:
 

• He is continuing to do an excellent job reading these days.  Lots of trips to the library in store for us!  I see how my parents felt when I was constantly needing to go to the library for new books.  Haha!  He is constantly reading signs or things we pass... it's so awesome he's getting it so quickly and easily.  I really wondered how I was gonna teach a kid to read, but he's practically teaching himself.  I just told him that since he knows what each letter sounds like, sound out the words by putting those sounds together.  Sure, there are lots of little tricks and words that don't follow the rules, but he's really getting a good grasp on them and figuring it all out. 
• He is taking swimming lessons.  While he doesn't always pay attention, he seems to be getting the basic idea down when it comes down to it.  He doesn't care for the part where they are practicing the same thing over and over, but when he actually has to put everything together (arms, kicks, floating)...he's doing pretty good.  I'm thankful we're getting to do the lesson at an indoor pool!  Though it's enough trouble in the heat to get there and back (it's like 2 minutes from our house, haha), plus it's so steamy inside the pool area, yuck!  I seriously just don't like Summer if you couldn't tell already.
• And yes, we're still going through a pretty nasty defiant phase.  He has little bouts of rage that just spring up outta nowhere.  I'm glad that he never seems to have those feelings or actions towards Callen at all, just me and Michael and himself.  In fact, he can be in the middle of a fit and get distracted by Callen's coos or cries and instantly he switches into sweet, big brother again.

I'm doing my best to keep the boys entertained since I don't want to leave the house.  Still trying to find the attention balance between an infant and a 4-year-old.  Luckily they play really well together and enjoy each others company long enough for me to go to the bathroom or do the dishes, etc.  When I have the balance between them working just right, I still feel like I'm completely leaving out my husband and never seeing him.  Could REALLY go for a new job for him right about now.  God's timing is perfect, but my impatience is awfully strong.  This current job not only causes him to be away from us during a time we want him home, but also is incredibly detrimental to his health.  When he is with us, he's got this migraine going on and just feels awful all the time.  He's had all kinds of tests and seen all kinds of doctors and the only thing they've boiled it down to is the job and lack of sleep.  So the only solution seems to be: new job!  Only... they aren't easy to find these days, as you well know I'm sure.  So, we're praying and TRYING to be patient and in the mean time doing our best to help him feel better and get some sleep during the day. 




Michael and Becca were listening to the Joy Electric cover album... Preston started dancing and Callen started laughing and trying to dance too:

Woo, another great score!

I have been scouring the daily deal, coupon and freebie blogs lately for fabulous deals on things.  They do all the work for you when it comes to couponing and finding the right sale to get the best deal!  Plus, there are so many ways to get free stuff... they lay it all out for you!  Some of my faves:

HeyItsFree.net - I love this one the best because of Goob's hilarious commentary that goes along with the posts.  His freebies are actually free too, he doesn't post 'em if there are strings attached (unless they're within reason kind of strings).

Freebies4mom.com and MoneySavingMom.com are two other really good ones.  There are soooo many out there, and they all tend to post a lot of the same stuff... but it's still fun to check 'em all and see who's coming up with the best deals/freebies at the time.

Some of the Deal Blogs recently posted a couple of awesome coupon codes for MedcoHealthStore.com, which has all kinds of health and beauty items for sale cheaper than other stores.  So, using some advice from the blog sites (and their readers), I was able to score...


2 packs of Pampers Sensitive Wipes (128 count each)
2 Chap Sticks
Lansinoh Nursing Pads
Always Pantyliners
Goodsense Infant Tylenol
Goodsense Children's Tylenol
Aveeno Sunscreen
Simply Saline Nose Spray

Total for all items: $1.94
Shipping: $3.96 (four shipments at 99 cents each)
Grand total: $5.90
(Had I paid full price from the website, it would have been $42.93!)

I feel bad, though, 'cause by the time I told some other people about these deals, the codes didn't work anymore.  That's the thing about the deal sites, there are soooo many of them and soooo many people following 'em, the deals, coupons, freebies, whatever, tend to go quickly!  Act fast!

Catching up on Pictures & Videos...

 
Hey, Mom, I really like this jumparoo thing!


The kid has a new ride!

 
Just a little surprised.


C isn't just for cookie!


And I think we know what P is for!


Happy boy!


Callen just adores Preston!

I just rocked the SNOT outta some coupons at Target..

I went to Target tonite to pick up a couple of Preston's prescriptions, and brought along my coupon book.  Didn't really need groceries but figured I'd make use of some good coupons, including several for completely FREE products, before they expired.  I had to pay for the prescriptions, but was able to get a $10 Target gift card because one of them was new (to get filled there anyway).  So, yeah I had to spend money on the prescriptions, but I made up for it using that gift card and my coupons... 



216-count of Huggies Wipes
Johnson's Baby Lotion
2 packs of new Kraft Homestyle Macaroni & Cheese
Eggo Frozen Strawberry Waffles
2 Healthy Choice Meals
Ritz Crackerfuls
Dots Candy (was on clearance, couldn't help it!)
Kool-Aid Fun Fizz
Tums
Target Brand Granola Bars
Kraft 100 Calorie Cheese Snacks

Total before coupons: $36.60
Coupon Savings: $24.10
Target Gift Card applied: $10
Total spent out of pocket: $2.50

Nice score!  Everything I bought I had a coupon for (except the DOTS and the Target Granola Brands - they were on clearance for crazy cheap though), and on almost all the items I used a Target coupon and a manufacturers coupon making the deal even better.  I wish I could do this ALL the time.  Couponing is hard work though, takes lots of planning, going to different stores for this and that.  I'm doing what I can, 'cause, dude... coupons are like free money!  Why wouldn't you use them?

James 1...

Faith and Endurance

 ² Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
 ⁵ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. ⁶ But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
 ⁹ Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. ¹⁰ And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. ¹¹ The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
 ¹² God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. ¹³ And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. ¹⁴ Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. ¹⁵ These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
 ¹⁶ So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. ¹⁸ He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

Callen's First Three Months (In Tweets)...

Three months old today!

Another thing I wanted to do since Callen's birth is record some of my favorite tweets here (not all of them obviously, that would be ridiculous).  It's kinda hard to go back and read tweets (they haven't come up with a way to look back at certain dates or anything, that I know of anyway), and I wanted to be able to remember what I was tweeting about.  Gonna try to do this on a monthly basis, but for now I'm going back nearly THREE MONTHS!  Whoa.  Here we go...

Mar 9th, 1:28pm - Looks like we will be going in for induction tonite at 6pm. Nothing is going as planned... but I know God's plans are bigger!

Mar 9th, 3:13pm - http://twitpic.com/17l7zf - My sweet P picked me dandelions!

Mar 9th, 7:04pm - Chickfila nuggets on the way to the hospital... Sounded good, we'll see if I regret it later.

Mar 10th, 7:19am - Callen Levi Clark. 8lbs 5oz. 20in. 5:56am

Mar 10th, 1:02pm - http://twitpic.com/17r6s9 - Um... Awkward. Men at work right at my hospital window.

Mar 10th, 8:22pm - http://twitpic.com/17tte9 - Hanging out w/this happy boy is nice.

Mar 13th, 1:03pm - I have sonssss, thats so strange to say! Haha. Loving it so far, though.

Mar 16th, 12:47pm - Oh crap, I haven't re-watched last week's #LOST yet & it's back on tonite.. this baby stuff is getting in the way of my tv watching!

Mar 19yh, 12:19pm - Tired, grumpy mama w/a loud, hyper 4-yr-old & a sleepy, poopy 1-wk-old. Beautiful.

Mar 19th, 10:55pm - Caught up on some stuff, watched the boys play Wii, got pooped on... now THIS is a rockin' Friday nite. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

Mar 21st, 11:11am - There's snow on the ground outside & one kid refuses to wear a shirt, the other refuses to keep pants on. Good thing it's toasty inside!

Mar 22nd, 12:22pm - http://twitpic.com/1aa0aj - Letting him dress himself means allowing the sweat pants.

Mar 22nd, 2:02pm - http://twitpic.com/1aae1w - Came inside from the sunshine, eyeballs trying to adjust. Heehee.

Mar 23rd, 1:02pm - has a cordless baby. They grow up so fast!

Mar 24th, 12:02pm - Running errands w/a sleeping newborn is a million times easier than running errands w/a sleeping newborn & a rambunctious 4 yr old.

Mar 26th, 7:31pm - Bfing is worth it! Bfing is worth it! I'll just keep telling myself that until this clogged duct lets loose or I die first.

Mar 26th, 8:57pm - http://twitpic.com/1b5fak - Asked Michael to get something chocolate at the store. I love him!

Mar 28th, 8:27pm - So, the first two weeks were a fluke 'cuz the last half of this week has shown me that having two kids is freakin' hard!

Mar 30th, 8:40pm - Why does the fat guy yelling 'Eat it, Yoshi!' at the end of that commercial make me laugh EVERY TIME?

Mar 31st, 10:06am - http://twitpic.com/1c6ph5 - Callen is three weeks old today!

Apr 7th, 10:43am - Dear Coffee, you are the wind beneath my wings! Shout out to Senseo and @Coffee_Mate, because without you, I wouldn't be me.

Apr 13th, 6:49pm - Listening to my husband whistle the Star Wars theme to get Callen the rest of the way asleep. It's totally working!

Apr 15th, 2:17pm - Its all fun & games at the park... till Preston hits another kid in the head with a rock. Sigh.

Apr 18th, 2:34pm - OMGosh, why can't they make mall bathrooms conveniently located? Seriously!? Why are they always so obscure?

Apr 20th, 11:41am - I have taken up calling my child 'Calendar'... I guess it's better (& makes more sense) than Blanket.

Apr 21st, 1:40pm - Successful outing w/both boys that included 5 stops & no yelling/crying from any of us! #BabyBookEntryWorthy

Apr 28th, 1:31pm - http://twitpic.com/1j5mil - Fun painting time makes for messy feet!

Apr 29th, 8:51am - Preston is still sleeping, Callen is cooing at his bunny & I am enjoying a cup of coffee, windows open, cool breeze blowing in. Lovely.

Apr 29, 2:39pm - Co-sleeping with an infant is crippling me & having a 4yr-old that hates naps is killing me. Again, I say they're plotting against me.

May 3rd, 10:50am - Preston is telling ME Bible stories! I love that!

May 6th, 1:03pm - If it means putting the baby down or even sitting down w/him, it can't be done

May 7th, 10:42pm - OMGosh, such sweetness! My Preston was staring at me & then said "I just like looking at your face, it's so pretty!" Awww!

May 10th, 10:59am - 2 months old, he's a little nervous about it. http://twitpic.com/1mptjd

May 10th, 11:31am - This isn't just any 'ole Monday. This is my first Monday as a Stay-At-Home-Mom (the last 2 months of Mondays were maternity leave).

May 10th, 6:43pm - Enjoying dinner at Texas De Brazil... Holy moo cows!

May 11th, 9:43pm - Callen's 2 mth check up: 10lbs, 4oz and 22.5in.

May 12th, 10:39pm - How come everytime I give it over to God, I take it right back so I can worry over it some more? #faithFAIL

May 14th, 12:26am - Ladies & Gentlemen, here is my 5,000th tweet. And... it's completely lame. DANG IT!

May 17th, 10:07am - I love watching Callen 'talk' to his Bunny Friend, it's so stinkin' cute!

May 17th, 2:20pm - Random: Preston just gave a puppy sticker to Wayne Watson. Haha!

May 21st, 2:04pm - My son is using the phrase "your head" properly against me. I knew this day would come. MyHeadIsDefeated.

May 21st, 7:13pm - Eeek, Email's getting married!

May 21st, 8:56pm - Fun wedding, happy couple & nice to see my @PowerFM peeps outside of the station! Did I just say 'peeps'?

May 22nd, 3:48pm - Visiting & comparing geneology notes w/my 2nd cousin once removed up in Sherman. Well, Michael is... P, C & I are watching Enchanted.

May 23rd, 10:38pm - RT @leviweaver: Me, an hour ago: "I wonder how I'll keep from crying at the end of LOST?" Me, in the last 10 minutes: "Oh. THAT'S how."

May 24th, 10:15am - Everyone's "boo Monday"-ish posts make me smile & make me thankful for my current situation (sitting here holding Callen) God is Good!

May 25th, 1:55pm - Preston is signed up for swim lessons for June, and in August we're probably doing (indoor) soccer! Woo, where's my mini-van?!?

May 25th, 8:55pm - OMGOSH! Callen's bottom exploded & it was so loud it scared me, I literally jumped! We were cooing & cuddling, then KABOOM! LOL! #TMI?

May 26th, 12:05pm - Got him to focus enough to write all his letters in a row! Woo! http://twitpic.com/1raign

May 30th, 9:00pm - Preston realized he can now open the cabinets that are "child-proofed"! #NotABabyAnymore

May 31st, 11:04am - After a million years, there are only 5 episodes of Sesame Street that they air? #FreakinRerunsDriveMeCrazy #PBSFail

May 31st, 11:55pm - Why is going to bed so hard for a kid? I mean, like, makes-Mama-lose-the-fruit-of-The-Spirit-hard?!?!? Sigh.

Becoming a Stay-At-Home-Mom, part 1...

I can finally use the acronym SAHM to describe myself.  I love that.  It seems funny, I mean... I have a 4-year-old, so mommy-hood is not new to me, but with the birth of Callen came the birth of a new challenge in my life:  learning how to be a Stay-At-Home-Mom.  I am grateful for the opportunity to have this challenge, that's for dang sure!  I am so happy that God has blessed me with this chance.  Here's hoping I don't completely screw it up! 

I've wanted from the beginning of this journey (nearly three months ago now!) to do a good job blogging about it.  Well, I haven't.  My blogs since the birth of Callen have mostly been short bites about what we're doing so I can keep track of it for future reference - pretty much so I don't instantly forget every single thing... ever.  I have not sat and written all of the things swirling around in my head about being a SAHM...because I haven't had the energy, brain cells or time to compose actual thoughts in a way that would make any sense.  Seriously, you should read the blogs I have in my head... so eloquently entertaining and insightful.  Truth is, I'm not that great of a writer in the first place, but add in two kids and a work-at-home-job that I attempt to devote any extra time to... and what do you get?  Unintelligible mush.  That's me... mush.  And I'm always typing with one-hand these days.

Anyway, the first thing I wanted to cover were my thoughts on leaving my job.  A job I loved, and for many years felt I could NEVER walk away from.  The people I worked with were more than co-workers, they were family.  I loved being part of the ministry of Power FM... such a neat way to spread the Word and encourage fellow believers.  I didn't have to preach, I didn't have to sing (you wouldn't want that anyway), all I had to do was talk and push buttons.  It was such a blast over the years getting to be part of such amazing things and meeting amazing people - bands, authors, tv stars, people giving it all to Him, best friends... and MY HUSBAND! 

I used to think of what it would be like to not be there anymore and it would break my heart.  That's one of the many reasons I continued working there after Preston was born... I selfishly just couldn't let go.  I wanted to be home with my baby, but I loved my job, felt called to be there... and felt I needed to be contributing financially anyway, no reason to leave!  But when Callen was on the way, things were different...my calling changed.  I felt it in everything, and knew that I was supposed be home with my boys, and that's all I could think of.  How do we make this work?  We still don't know, but we stepped out in faith, and Michael and I made the decision that I would not return to work.  It was difficult to tell my boss... though I know he already figured I wouldn't return (they all knew my desire to be a SAHM and stood by me, prayed for us, etc).  I did it over the phone and let him tell everyone else... yep, I'm a wuss, couldn't face any of them.  I made sure to emphasize that I would be available to fill in and help out whenever possible, so hopefully I'm not completely cut off from Power FM.

I went back and helped out during Share-A-Thon in May and it really just reassured me that I made the right decision.  It was so difficult trying to fit everything into the day - being with the kids, going to work, lunch, dinner, I never saw my husband except in passing.  Yep, there's no way I could do that on a regular basis.  I like the idea of going to visit or help out once in a while so as not to completely lose track of everyone, but it's just not for me anymore.  I want to thank everyone I worked with over the years for being so amazing.  I feel like I made some great friendships, I learned a lot about God and people, and I truly enjoyed my time with everyone (co-workers, bands, listeners alike).  I pray that the station is blessed and is able to continue on for a long, long time.  I'm still a listener!  I'm still a Power Corps Member!  And I'm still (technically) an employee!

So, I've been a SAHM now for about three months.  It's hard.  I was blessed with an amazing job for almost 10 years, and I got 'fat and lazy' there for the most part... these two little guys at home are keeping much more busy than any paying job could!  And sometimes I wanna pull my hair out and break down crying, but most of the time it's such an amazing joy and blessing to be here with them every second of the day.  More on that to come next time I find it in me to blog (this blog only took three days to compose, haha!).

I don't watch THAT much TV...

Well, the television season finales have come and gone.  And I can mark three shows off my "must watch" list 'cause they are GONE for good!  I know it's ridiculous, but I'm always relieved when the TV season is over.  It's a lot of work trying to keep up with TV now days.  Thankfully I'm able to watch them as I want on the good 'ole internet, so that makes it a little easier.  But, with a 4-yr-old and an almost-3th-old it's difficult to get 47 minutes of peace to watch a show in front of the computer!  Here's my super-quick-'cause-the-kids-are-gonna-wake-up-any-second-take on the shows that I watched this season... (and yes, spoilers are a definite... if you haven't seen it, don't read it! or at least don't get mad at me!)

House

Yeah, I watched about three episodes at the beginning of the season and completely lost interest and quit.  I wanted to see what was gonna happen to House once he was in the loony bin... and since he was out within one episode, not much.  The show instantly fell back into the predictable 'ole thing, plus they even went back to the same 'ole team.  Which, I didn't mind so much, never liked the new team anyway.  So yeah, abandoned a show (that is rare for me!).


Heroes

Heroes is cancelled, so we'll never know what happened after Claire jumped off the ferris wheel.  Or will we?  Heard rumors of a mini-series or something to conclude some storylines.  That might be interesting.  It's been so long since the show was on now that I don't really remember much of this season.  Just one more show to mark off my list!  What I'll miss most about Heroes?  In all honesty... mostly just the eye candy: Peter Patrelli and Sylar...



LOST

The series finale of this show was greatly anticipated by me (and everyone else in the world!).  It hurt my head every week, and I never knew what was going on.  I know I'm not the only one.  I was glad it was going to be finally over and we'd have some answers. 

Only... I didn't feel we got answers at all.  LAME!  I get it, they were dead, but.... but... but... y'know what?  I'm not even gonna bother myself with this show anymore, it's over and done for.  The thing I'll miss most about LOST?  Hurley!



24

Another show I am glad to be rid of.  I love... loved Jack Bauer.  This is not the type of show I would normally watch.  At all.  It's so stinkin' violent!  But one time a few years ago, Michael and I wanted to see what the fuss was about.  We ended up watching season after season on DVD, just one after the other, no sleep!  Then, when I did sleep, I had dreams of fighting terrorists and whatnot.  Haha.  This season was a disappointment to me.  I didn't like what Jack became.  I know he had to 'get justice' and whatnot, but he went over the edge and, after all he's done for the country, lost my respect.  (Yes, I know he's not real!),  It was completely ridiculous how far he broke.

The scene where he attacked President Logan motorcade, geeeeezzzzz, that's not the Jack Bauer I know.  Anyway, it was a good several years, but I had hoped Jack would retire at the end of LAST season.  Oh well.  And I hear there's going to be a 24 movie.  How's that going to work?  What I'll miss most about 24... Chloe!
  This chick is awesome!!!!  Go Chloe O'Brian!


Chuck

We all wondered what would happen once Chuck finally 'knew' how to be a spy.  It's been an interesting ride, and a good, entertaining season.  I love Chuck Bartowski...he's still greatness.  I like that they added Morgan to the 'team' and thank goodness for getting rid of that Kristin Kreuk.  I didn't like her on Smallville, I didn't like her on Chuck...meh.  I'm glad that Captain Awesome & Ellie are aware of what's going on now.  As for the finale, Chuck's MOM?!?!  And what happens now that the Buy More is toast?!?!  I mean, Jeff and Lester will have no home!  Ooh, this oughta be interesting!  Looking forward to seeing Chuck again next round!



Parenthood

My knew favorite show!  Seriously, I didn't watch when it started, but I thought the commercials looked good.  I finally caught up (in one night I watched like 6 episodes, I kid you not, I was that hooked right off the bat!).  It's a great show, full of wonderful characters and great actors.  A friend of mine asked me who my favorite Braverman was... and I couldn't answer, I love them all!!!  Plus, the storylines are very true-to-life and cover all your basic (and not so basic) types of parenting, it's highly relatable!  It's dramatic, but overly soap opera-ish, but it's also funny and smart.  I just really enjoy this show and am sad when the credits roll every time, I want it to keep going!

Apparently, I only like shows that have one-word titles. 

Honorable mentions this season go to Minute To Win It.  Preston really enjoyed watching that show.  And I tuned into a few episodes of Celebrity Apprentice.  It was my first time to ever watch that show, but I was intrigued by Bret Michaels, Sharon Osborne and Cyndi Lauper.  It was pretty entertaining to see celebrities in that way.  I guess I see why that show is (somewhat?) popular.

Tidbits, part 3...

(...because I can't manage enough time to write actual blogs anymore!)


- A lot of my energy lately has gone into keeping a certain 4-yr-old under control.  He is fabulous with the baby, horrible with us.  Ok, he's not all bad... he has his super sweet, smart, wonderful moments... but lately his attitude has been out of control.  He is disrespectful, defiant and downright mean to Michael and me... turns around and is perfect big brother to Callen (reads him stories, sings to him, helps soothe him, etc)... so it's hard to say if it really has anything to do with the "new baby in the house" or anything like that.  I think it might just be getting adjusted to life itself... I mean, he is only four... I have to keep reminding myself that.  He normally acts so big and smart, that sometimes I forget that he's so young and acts like it.  And me being home with him all the time is definitely new to all of us.  But, also... there's a line and he often crosses it.  We are trying to be consistent in our discipline, but we're tired and it's hard.  I too often lose all patience much too quickly, because it's the same things over and over... he KNOWS better, he KNOWS what the correct response/action is but doesn't do it.  Ahh, motherhood is grand.  Have to give big thanks to both sets of grandparents who have taken the boy off my hands through the weeks, giving me a break and giving him something to do other than sit around here and get in trouble.  Unfortunately every time he returns from those play days or nites, his attitude is worse than ever... gah, can't win.

 

- With all that being said, I've signed Preston up for swim lessons that start at the end of June and am still considering signing him up for indoor soccer for pre-k age.  Indoor being the key word, 'cause this is Texas...and it's Summer.  So indoor sounds awesome to me.  I'm just worried about whether or not he's going to accept instruction and behave in those settings.  I have a feeling he will because he tends to act better for other people (like in Sunday School, etc)... so I'm sure it'll be ok.  SHOULD be fun, I'm hoping.

- I have been working with Preston on school stuff... learning to read and write.  The other day he did soooo good, he actually sat, focused and wrote out the entire alphabet, and it looked great!  This is a big deal because he gets soooo easily distracted, or frustrated with himself, that he usually doesn't last long enough.  But that day he was really into it and did great.  Also, the other day he wrote out some words by himself.  He asked Michael how to spell what he had for lunch, "Chicken Noodle Soup" and he wrote it out on a big poster board.  Then, the next day he asked Grandma Darlene what she had and wrote out the word by himself, without asking how to spell it even!  He wrote "Poptorts" but hey... pretty good for all by himself, no help!  He's also doing wonderfully on the reading.  We'll be participating in all the Summer Reading programs we can, and I'm making him to almost all the reading himself for it to count.  He's already read 6 books on his own (ranging from baby board books to some easy readers).  Again, if I can get him to focus for long enough he does great.  Sometimes it's one page a day, but he's still getting really good at sounding out things.  I'm really proud of him!


- Callen is growing and showing more personality.  He loves to talk and smile and watch Preston run around.  He's happy pretty much as long as he's being held, and especially if he's able to see all the action going on around him.  He's out of the NB clothes (too long!), and into the 0-3mths now that he's about 3 mths.  Haha.  Preston was always way behind in the clothes sizes too... I think he could still wear 12mth shorts till he was 3-yrs-old.  It's been fun pulling out Preston's old clothes and seeing 'em on Callen.  As far as sleeping at nite goes, he'll go down for about 4-5 hrs, wake up to eat, go back to sleep and get up a few hours later usually for good.


- We sold the Honda, and are now looking for a Toyota Sienna.  We're pretty sure that's what we want, not sure the year ... probably doesn't matter as long as it's a good car at the right price. 

- To brag on myself about something silly, I totally made some killer chicken enchiladas the other nite.  It's a big deal, 'cause it's taken 8 years and many, many major fails when it comes to enchiladas for me to actually get some right.  Haha!  I'm trying hard to get better at cooking.  I always used the fact that I worked and didn't have time to think of cooking as an excuse as to why we only ever had tacos/burritos, spaghetti and straight-out-of -the-box meals.  Well, I don't have that excuse anymore so I better put some effort into it from now on.  Also, doing my best to utilize coupon deals and what not to save money.  Loving Aldi for sure, that store is awesome!!!

- I have at least two actual blogs I wanna get around to writing eventually, and so I don't forget my topics: a) leaving Power FM and b) tv season finales.