I'm singing in the rain.

Living in Arizona means that we get to enjoy the monsoons! The day will start off pretty hot, and continue to warm up through out the day. Then the clouds roll in and the rain starts. Today I had dinner in the crockpot {which didn't really turn out} so I convinced Tommy to come play outside with me. {he is afraid that he is going to melt if he gets to wet... but we worked through that.} Tim was all ready and excited to go outside. James was happy to know that we were all going out to play.

I thought about getting my camera but decided not to focus on the pictures and just be totally in the moment of playing with my boys in the rain.

We ran up and down the gutters and "watched for the flood." We took turns chasing each other, Tommy wanted to "swirl in the flood." Tim ran back and forth to each side of the street. James was having fun kicking the water up to see how high he could splash.

It was wonderful! The rain was warm, and along with the sweet smell of the rain, you could smell the lavender from the bushes around the neighborhood. Nobody was outside, so all you heard was the rain coming down and the laughter from the boys. It was shear joy.

It was a perfect afternoon!!!

What the world needs... Wednseday

More time to play in the warm rain... with and without an umbrella.

Tunes on Tuesday

Being that the 4th of July is upon us, I decided that the whole month of July will be patriotic songs. This one is by Luke Strickland. I know that there are problems in the US {don't even get me started on the politics} but no matter what is going on I know I live on the best place on earth. We are so blessed to live in such a wonderful place. I'm thankful that I don't have to worry about bombs going off or about my kids living in a war torn country.



"American, by God's Amazing Grace" by Luke Stricklan

Bottom of my boots sure are gettin' worn
there's a lot of holes in this faded uniform
My hands are black with dirt and so is my face
I aint never been to hell but it couldn't be any worse than this place.
Tell my wife don't worry 'cause I know what to do
it makes you feel better sometimes, but don't know if it's true.
I know if I die it's just my time to go
but I pray to God every day that I may get back home.

Well when you've seen what I've seen things don't seem so bad
quit worrying 'bout what you aint got,
thank God for what you have
'Cause I could be raising my family in this place
but I was born an American by Gods Amazing Grace.

For the last twelve months I've had a new address
the neighborhood smells like sewerage and the streets are lined with trash.
You never know what's gonna be the next thing to explode
but unlike these people, I have another home.
It breaks my heart to see these kids out on the streets
walking barefoot through the trash, diggin' for something to eat.
I give them what I got, just to let them know I care
and I thank God it's not my son that's standing there.

Well when you've seen what I've seen things don't seem so bad
quit worrying 'bout what you aint got, thank God for what you have
'Cause I could be raising my family in this place
but I was born an American by Gods Amazing Grace.

You want to talk about it, you better keep it short
cause I got a lot of lost time I gotta make up for.
Really don't care why Bush went in to Iraq
I know what I done there and I'm damn sure proud of that.
You got somethin' bad to say about the USA
you better save it for different ears 'less you want to crawl away.
And I laugh in your face when you say you've got it bad
until you've spent some time on the streets of Baghdad

Well when you've seen what I've seen things don't seem so bad
quit worrying 'bout what you aint got, thank God for what you have
'Cause you could be raising your family in this place
but you were born in America, By God's Amazing Grace!!!!

This week lets remember the blood that was shed in the past for the freedoms that we enjoy today. Lets remember that is being shed to keep us safe day after day. They are fighting so you don't have to.

Thank you to the men and women who are serving, the vets {thank you honey, you are my hero} who have served and those that are growing up and wanting to serve our country. There is no greater thing.

A little flour goes a long way.

Tommy helped me to make rolls today {which I have a really good recipe to, that one day I'll share} After we were done Tommy still wanted to play with the flour. Ok, what ever. I put some flour in a bowl and let him have at it at the table. Well... 2 hours later.... it was time to clean up. Here are some funny pictures.

James started playing in the flour, and the two of them played together for awhile.

What a cheap thing to entertain kids!

Tim is mad at me because I won't let him add water to the flour mess. I"m just mom, what do I know???

Oh, the fun!

I think Tommy ended up with more on him than anywhere else. But again... 2 hours of entertainment!

Red, White & Blue Swap

I totally LOVE doing swaps, and Mamarazzi is a great host!!! This time it was Red, White and Blue themed. I love shopping for these and even more than that, I love getting something unexpected in the mail.

Debra was my partner. Her hubby is in Texas right now, while she is still in Utah. My heart goes out to you Debra, I know how it feels to live with out the hubby.

While the husband and I were watching a movie, he says,"Oh, you got this in the mail" {Have I not taught the husband anything?? Packages should be rushed to the person immediately to be opened!} So I opened it up and pour out the contents.

First off there were Laughy Taffy's, I love Laughy Taffys, and I look forward to Halloween for that reason. So we started munching on that. {we just finished the popcorn, so it was nice to have the sweet after we had salty} And I had one with a joke that was actually funny. Are you ready? **If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring???*** {read down to the end for the answer}

That with the startburst was so yummy to have. There were only red Starbursts, so she probably went through a couple bags to have so many to put in for me.

There was a cute shirt from Kohl's, some note cards with blue envelops, and a magnetic notepad. I really like these and always have a stash around the house, so I can just pull out the next one. There are some red TicTac's that look really good {taking to church with me}

She sent some her favorite lipgloss, it's pink... I like it, I'll try it tomorrow.She was going to send me red. Thank you for not... I've tried red, and I'll say it... I look like a hooker with red lipstick/lipgloss.

I got a little manicure set, and some sockies.

My favorite was the syringe. It's a pen! I pulled it out and was kinda creeped out that I would get a syringe, but at closer inspection, it is in fact a pen.... that write with red ink. I love it!!

Thank you Debra for the great package, and Mamarazzi for hosting, you do a great job!!









{A: Pilgrams.... I thought it was so funny!!}

Poems by James and Tommy

We have been learning about dinosaurs and James and Tommy wrote some poems.

Dinosaurs

Some dinosaurs were mean,

The meanest things we've ever seen.

We've seen some fly

Way up high in the sky.

We like to find their bones,

They are not orange like caution cones.

But now they are all dead,

So I think I'll go to bed.

-James and Tommy

Dinosaurs Died on Earth

Paleontologist find their bones.

They find the bones in every country they will live in.

And asteroids hit the earth and then the dinosaurs died.

And they were covered with dirt and mud.

And then paleontologist find their bones.

The end.

-James

These were writen totally by them. I think they are really good, and was really proud of them.

What the world needs... Wednseday

More Saturday morning cartoons.

Tunes on Tuesday

This is a song by Train. It is one of my favorite songs. I actually was able to go to one of their concerts when we were here last time in Sierra Vista. The lead singer, Pat Monaham, said that this song was dedicated to all those that lost a spouse due to war.


{I couldn't find the video that I wanted, so just close your eyes and listen to the music}

"When I Look to the Sky" Train {My Private Nation}
When it rains it pours and opens doors
And floods the floors we thought would always keep us safe and dry
And in the midst of sailing ships we sink our lips into the ones we love
That have to say goodbye

And as I float along this ocean
I can feel you like a notion that won't seem to let me go
Cause when I look to the sky something tells me you're here with me
And you make everything alright
And when I feel like I'm lost something tells me you're here with me
And I can always find my way when you are here

And every word I didn't say that caught up in some busy day
And every dance on the kitchen floor we didn't have before
And every sunset that we'll miss I'll wrap them all up in a kiss
And pick you up in all of this when I sail away

And as I float along this ocean
I can feel you like a notion that I hope will never leave

Whether I am up or down or in or out or just plane overhead
Instead it just feels like it is impossible to fly
But with you I can spread my wings to see me over everything that life may send me
When I am hoping it won't pass me by
And when I feel like there is no one that will ever know me there you are to show me

Cause when I look to the sky something tells me you're here with me
And you make everything alright
And when I feel like I'm lost something tells me you're here with me
And I can always find my way when you are here

What I like about this song is that it puts things into perspective. How many times have you left something unsaid because you where to busy to sit and have a conversation. When was the last time you let loose and danced in the kitchen together? Stopped where you where and looked at that sunset. We don't know when the end will be, and often time there is no forwarning.

The reason why this song hits home is because of our situation. When the husband was in Iraq there were a couple weeks that I had panic attacks. I was really depressed, and just felt something was wrong. I didn't say anything to him until he came home, and comparing our time lines, during those times were the times that he was in a dangerous situations. I'm so thankful that the Lord protected him.

I try really hard not to leave things unsaid. Sweetie, I love you and I'm so glad that I can have you here with me everyday, touch you every day, and tell you that I love you every day. When the day come that one of is gone, I want you to know that you make me so happy, and I can spead my wings and I hope that I can always do the same for you!!

He's fine.... no need to call CPS

Today James was playing with tape {again}... Now normally if it was regular old Scotch tape it would be no big deal. But... it was the big tape, and the big dispenser. He has tangled this dang thing of tape so many times. So after getting it tangled... again... I took it away and told James that if he played with it again I was going to tape him to the wall...

Well I didn't tape him to the wall.... that would peel the the paint. So I taped him to the door. Put your jaw back up... you would do it to. And besides.... I had to follow through.

See, the difference between me and you is that I don't make empty threats....

First Father's Day!!!

Happy {first} Father's Day honey!!!

Yes, we have been married for 9 years and the husband has been a father for 5 of them, and missed them all. {we have military training to thank for that}

He is a wonderful father! Always willing to play with the boys, and helping them "fix" things. He is doing a wonderful job teaching the boys about the gospel, and being a wonderful example to them of a priesthood holder is.

I love you so much!! I hope that this is the first of many more Father's Day that we get to spend together!!

If he wasn't so dang cute, I would sell him

We had a pretty normal day today. It started with a walk with Tim. I mentioned a walk and before I could roll out of bed Tim was already half dressed {surprisingly had his legs in his pants the right way.} We went out with the dog and looked at every ant hill we could find. I did lunges and squats while he tortured the insects.

I got home and remembered that I needed to pray, good thing I did because the day just got better....

First stop.. Walmart. I had to get some last minute things for a baby shower I was throwing with my neighbor. While we were there the boys wanted to pick up one last thing for dad for Father's Day. I did a quick head count... 1,2,3 and turned the corner. Was looking at things and realized that there were only two in the fight that was going on. {oh, crap} Called his name.... nothing. Run back grab the brothers and start my trek looking for the my other child. I see him holding the hands of two workers. I yell down the aisle, "that's my kid" they turn and look at me and ask Tim, "is that your mom?" {I'm totally patting my self on the back for letting him have that cookie before breakfast} He yells back {because that's the only volume he has} "Yeah!!!" They believed me....

So after that trip and one to the dollar store because I was NOT going to pay $10 for an umbrella when I could get them for a $1!!!

After that we went to the Library. Everything here went well. Tommy {of course} has to go to the bathroom... and well, it wasn't to pee. So I thought it was better for him to strip down at home rather than at the Library... We gather our things and head out. Tim grabs some random book {or so I thought} and takes off running through the Library weaving in and out of all the people. Trying not to draw to much attention to myself I run after him without screaming. I finally catch up to him at the check out desk, but not before he throws the book up and over the desk and nearly hit the lady in the process.

I get a dirty look from her as she is picking up the book off the floor and holds it up. I tell her that although it looks like it I need it I wasn't going to be checking out the book "Parenting for Toddlers" today.

{I'm sure she has it sitting on a shelf waiting for me for our next visit.}

The Shirt was Found

So to understand this I have to take you back aways. About 6 weeks {yes that says weeks} after Tommy was born I was having a hard time putting him to sleep. He was great when he was on my shoulder but as soon as I laid him down he would fuss then wake up again. Steve was in Iraq at the time and I was at my wits end. Picking him up again for the 5th time {it was better to have him sleep on my shoulder than to have Tommy wake up James and then have two crying babies} I planning on him sleeping with me so that I could at least pretend to be a happy mommy in the morning. I put him down... for the 6th time.... because I really had to pee, and had not yet mastered how to do it while holding a sleeping baby. Again he started to fuss when I heard something... really, it was a voice, probably my own as I like to talk to myself, but that's another story. It said "Give him your shirt" I thought for a moment and then I heard it again, "Give him your shirt." So I did. I took it off and laid it near Tommy, he grabbed it and snuggled it against him and went to sleep. ***And slept through the night***

Tommy carried this thing around with him where ever we went. He always had it with him. He would get really nervous if it wasn't on his bed at night {so I learned to wash it during the day, but after his first nap} He never liked the pacifier, all he needed was the shirt.

About 6 months after we moved to Sierra Vista {Tommy was 2}, he lost his shirt. Holy Moly, there was tears, and tears, and tears. I really felt bad that we could not find his shirt. I really thought we had looked every where. Well I guess not. I'm not sure why I was pulling the cushions off on the couch, but low and behold... the shirt. It was found. You can tell that at one point it was loved very much, because it doesn't even look like a shirt any more. And it had to be tied in knots many times to keep it together.

Tommy carried it around with him for about a day and then lost it again. Next time I find it, it's going straight into his box.

Moral of the story... It's ok if you talk to yourself. You might give your self some good advice and then be able to sleep.

What the world needs... Wednseday

More home made suckers. This was a really fun activity that we did with the boys, and the suckers turned out really pretty.